By the tender age of 2, approximately 65% of children will have experienced at least one episode of middle ear infection, also known as otitis media. This is a disturbing figure and one that is quite scary. Frequent ear aches may interfere with a child's language and speech development and in some cases can cause permanent hearing loss. There are 3 types of otitis media:
- Acute – usually due to an upper respiratory infection and has pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and possibly diarrhea associated with it. During the upper respiratory infection, bacteria may cause swelling in the ear and surrounding tissues, making drainage difficult. This inflammation and lack of drainage is exacerbated by the angle of the infant's eustachian tubes, which change in orientation and angle as the child matures.
- Serous or secretory – this type results when acute otitis media does not resolve fully. The symptoms related with serous otitis media are obstruction of the eustachian tube, accumulation of fluid in the middle ear and hearing loss.
- Chronic – may result from acute otitis media or from trauma to the ear drum. In this condition, the eardrum or tympanic membrane is perforated.
The method of practice by medical doctors when a child is exhibiting any of the above conditions is to prescribe antibiotics. There are serious repercussions from the administration of antibiotics such as side effects that may include the following:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- yeast infections
- with long term use: increases the chance of recurrent, serious ear infections
When antibiotics are not effective or fail to halt the chronic ear infection, surgery to insert ear tubes is the next step. The body eventually rejects the tubes and pushes them out naturally.
Parents are turning to Chiropractors for help as well as their first line of defense for preventing future episodes. The chiropractic approach to ending ear pain is multifaceted and based on the philosophy of focusing on cause rather than symptoms.
Misalignments of the spine called spinal subluxations interfere with nerve flow. Many doctors believe that the eustachian tube blockage occurs when a tiny muscle called the tensor veli palatini becomes dysfunctional. This muscle is innervated by nerves that can be traced back to the spinal cord in the upper neck. When the nerve is impinged causing a subluxation the symptom may result in ear ache. The Doctor of Chiropractic takes specialized courses on pediatric adjusting techniques and use extremely safe, low-force adjusting methods for children.
Next time your child is suffering from an ear ache, consider a Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Sutherland is a Doctor of Chiropractic in Tampa, Florida and specializes in family care, be sure to contact him with any questions or concerns or make an appointment for a FREE consultation.
Chiropractic mobilizes drainage of fluid in the ear, and allows a child to build up their own antibodies to fight off an infection more quickly. Depending on how chronic an infection has been, children generally need to get several treatments. Once they fight an ear infection themselves, kids tend to not to get further ear infections unless they have an abnormally shaped Eustachian tube, or other risk factor. Chiropractic is safe and effective and should be tried before giving a child antibiotics and certainly before inserting tubes in their ears.