Toddlers under three years of age are most often affected and it usually results in parents suffering from sleepless nights while trying to relieve their child’s ear pain.
Symptoms
Most middle ear infections or otitis media are quite painful and include fever and a sore throat. A minority of ear infections can occur without any noticeable symptoms. Bacteria cause approximately 75 percent of middle ear infections whereas viruses cause 25 percent. Most commonly, theses pathogens invade the entire upper respiratory tract, including ears, nose and throat. The Eustachian tube, which plays a role in evacuating ear mucus into the throat, becomes swollen due inflammation. This causes a liquid build-up in the middle ear making it more prone to microbe proliferation.
Why?
Otitis media most often affects young children because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal than those of adults. It allows bacteria and viruses to make their way into the middle ear more easily. In addition, children’s Eustachian tubes are narrower, making them prone to blockage. Approximately 60 % of children will have an ear infection before the age of 3, whereas less than 10% of children between the ages of 5 and 6 years old will suffer from this type of infection. This can be explained by the fact that, as we grow up, the Eustachian tubes become larger, allowing a better liquid circulation.
Treatment
Your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic treatment which must be taken as directed until the end of the treatment. By interrupting your treatment, the infection will not heal properly and can reappear rapidly. Symptoms should lessen within 24 to 48 hours after having started the treatment. Make sure to book a follow up appointment at the doctor’s office two weeks later to verify if the infection has completely disappeared and the middle ear has properly healed.
Several studies demonstrate that bacteria have become growingly resistant to antibiotics. That is why doctors think twice before prescribing this type of medication for otitis media.
If your child has very few symptoms, no fever and if the eardrum is not bulging, he can be treated with analgesics (acetaminophen, ibuprofen) to treat his fever and discomfort.
Resistant bacteria are the cause of concern. If antibiotics do not have any effect on children, they will be left with only their immune system to fight infections, which may not always be enough. Even worse, resistant bacteria can spread worldwide and bring back diseases that have disappeared in the past.
Alternatives
Some may consider a less traditional approach to treat or prevent middle ear infections. However, it is crucial to always start with a thorough traditional examination in order to confirm the diagnosis before starting any other form of treatment. That being said, chiropractic practices as well as osteopathy have shown surprising results in certain cases. Homeopathy is also growing in popularity.
Prevention
Otitis media is difficult to prevent since children often catch colds. However, by teaching your kids to wash their hands properly and frequently, you can help reduce their chances of having a viral infection. Furthermore, it is a known fact that cigarette smoke increases the risk of infection and that breastfeeding helps to increase your child’s resistance to different pathogens.
