Not Another Ear Infection---What To Do??

I’m sure many of you can relate to that middle-of-the-night scenario when your baby wakes up screaming, tugging on one ear, a bit feverish...Ugh---here we go again---another ear infection (and another sleepless night)! The above scenario sometimes continues with the parent making a quick trip to the ER, where the ear infection would be confirmed & a prescription for an antibiotic would be given.

Antibiotics may get rid of the infection a bit more quickly (see studies referred to below), but there are potential side effects as most of you know, like diarrhea---as well as a bigger risk that the bacteria causing the infection will become resistant to commonly used antibiotics, creating 'superbugs' that can't be easily treated. (MRSA is a ‘superbug’).

In recent years, the CDC and medical societies have put great effort into trying to convince parents (& health care professionals) that antibiotics often don’t help with children’s colds and ear infections, particularly for the common ear infection. Studies like those in the next 2 paragraphs clearly show why there is a need for moving away from antibiotics as a first resort.

A clinical study in the United Kingdom compared providing immediate antibiotic therapy with delaying antibiotic therapy for 72 hours in children aged 6 months to 10years. 76% of children in the delayed-treatment group never required antibacterial agents. 70% of the delayed-antibacterial group were symptomatically better at 3 days, whereas 86% of the immediate-treatment group were better. (Washington Post 8-4-09).

Another study showed that children who took antibiotics for an ear infection had a higher risk of further infections over the next 3 years.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians published an updated set of guidelines for the treatment of acute ear infections in 2004. These new guidelines recommend limiting the majority of antibiotic treatment for ear infections (acute otitis media) to children under 2 years of age. They adopted an antibiotic-free approach for most older children with ear infections as well. In these guidelines, they recommend treating with pain relievers and initial observation in otherwise healthy children. Antibiotics are recommended for these children only if they do not improve on their own in 48 to 72 hours, or if they develop severe symptoms (high fever or moderate to severe ear pain).

I consider this a BIG step in the right direction. We’re allowing the body to heal itself instead of immediately hitting it with antibiotics that can totally upset the normal GI (gut) bacterial balance & have long-lasting effects.

SO, WHAT ABOUT THE VERY UNHAPPY BABY THAT IS SCREAMING WITH EAR PAIN?
Warm compresses to the ear may be soothing.
Your health care provider will probably recommend some sort of pain relief option.
Magnetic pads (thin/small) placed behind the ear have been found to be helpful.
Other forms of magnetic technology can be beneficial as well.
Chiropractic adjustments in the cervical spine may be helpful with ear infections as well.

Keeping the immune system strong will decrease the overall likelihood of ear infections, which is the main goal. We do this by ensuring adequate amounts of good quality sleep, solid nutrition (whole food supplements are a great option), adequate intake of good quality water and clean air (air filtration in the home).

May all of you sleep well during this upcoming season of colds, flu & ear infections---Be Well!
Sana