Rivergallery's Growth

Nov. 7, 2007

Ear Infections

Posted in Health

Ear Infections

Most ear infections occur in the outer and middle ears. Often wax or irritation can be the cause of the infection. Such as damage caused by cleaning. Usually they are complications of colds, or upper respiratory infections. They may be accompanied by other cold and flu like symptoms. “IF you experience sharp, severe pain, followed by a sudden drainage of blood and/or pus from your ear you may have a perforated eardrum.”2
Symptoms- pain, itching, discharge, also it is possible to develop boils. Children often cry, pull on their ears, have trouble nursing or sucking on a bottle. Earaches can one of the most painful of childhood illnesses. (4) And parents often feel helpless as they believe it can cause hearing loss and other complications. (4) However hearing loss is incredibly rare as a result of ear infections. (4) If a child has put an object in the ear get them to a doctor immediately (4).
75% of children will have at least 3 ear infections before they are six. (3) “Otitis Media (Middle ear infection) is responsible for about 8 % of all patient visits to pediatric practices and 17% of all infections that are diagnosed (4).” However not all 17% are actually infections as it is one of the most overdiagnosed problem. (4) There is a belief that the narrowing of the Eustachian tubes is due to the toxic environment. (3)

Traditional Medicine

    Most doctors prescribe a variety of medicines, as well as inserting tubes. (4) But, Dr. Mendelsohn MD, actively now opposes these measures as well as trying to avoid antibiotics(4). With an otosope what does the Dr really see? They often can’t see an infection if is it behind the ear drum it is not possible, and often redness can be due to other issues. The only case when antibiotics should be prescribed for ear infections according to Mendelsohn is when the ear is discharging pus. In controlled studies the administering of antibiotics made no difference in hearing loss, spread of infection, or mastoiditis. They may reduce the duration of pain and infection but also reduce the body’s natural immune system (4).
    Most people feel better within 48-72hours after taking antibiotics such as amoxicillin, cefaclor, cefime, erythromycin and sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim (These are the ones most often prescribed AS OF 1999)(2). If the ear infection doesn’t respond then according to conventional treatment you should talk to or contact your doctor. Analgesics can help relieve ear pain, and doctors pay prescribe something stronger than the over the counter ones (acetaminophen or ibuprofen). If the infection is related to sinus or nasal congestion, antihistamines and/or decongestants may be prescribed. “Research has not shown these medications to be helpful in actually curing ear infections, however”2 “If you have an ear infection and develop a fever, chills, dizziness or serious hearing loss, or experience a severe headache, a stiff neck, lethargy, or changes in consciousness, contact your physician immediately These can be signs of serious complications, such as meningitis or an infection that has traveled to the inner ear.”2
Many times antibiotics are prescribed because parents insist on them, not because they are needed, or helpful. The majority of EIs are viral instead of bacterial so the antibiotics do nothing. “In addition, antibiotics destroy the good bacteria in your body, which can lead to other problems.” An imbalance of bacteria can lead to repeat Eis, and antibiotics can lead to diarrhea as well as other health problems, “…if antibiotics are given for a bacterial infection, it doesn't allow the body to build up its own antibodies against the bacteria. This is why … some people will get the same bacteria type of infection over and over when using antibiotics.”(1) “Some children respond well to antibiotics; “others are put on a round-robin of antibiotics treatments (sometimes for years); and others still require surgery.”(3) “Children given antibiotics for early infections are 2-6 times more likely to develop a recurrence than children who did not receive the antibiotic treatment.” (1991 Journal of the American Medical Association quoted in 3).
“Over $3.5 billion is spent by American parents every year on the treatment of ear infections, primarily on antibiotics.”(3) The long term use of antibiotics is not yet known.(3)
    For our children/Babies- They need “to get on a probiotic - acdiophilus bifidus supplement, besides the yogurt. This will help to restore …destroyed (from antibiotics, illness, stress, etc.) intestinal flora, the healthy bacteria that is the backbone of the immune system.”1 If you do a google search for probiotic and infant it brings up lots of information and links to places that sell liquid supplements. I found that the probiotics should be taken spaced out between the antibiotics, and try to give after at least an hour from the time the antibiotic is administered.
    You should see a doctor if the ear pain has persisted over 48 hours, this is to rule out trauma of foreign material in the ear.
Dietary
    “Eliminating all sugar, juice, dairy, and greasy/fatty foods from diet. Dairy produces and thickens mucous in the body. The others all weaken the immune system.”1 (2 and 3 concur)
    Sugar- “is a challenge to the body and feeds fungal, parasitic, and bacterial infections” (3)
    Milk and cheese- “ Dairy can be a mucus- forming food…” yogurt may be fine (3).
    Drink lots of liquids

Nutritional

Increase the vitamin C One can actually go to the point of saturation which is outlined on this website http://www.doctoryourself.com. For Josiah I give 4,000mg a day when ill, And I take up to 18,000 mg per day. If you get diarrhea then your body has been saturated. Get a Vit C that contains “mineral-ascorbate-buffered vitamin C but no sugar”2
    Take probiotic supplement. 2
    Take Bioflavinoids along with the Vit C- both are anti inflammatory, for adults according to Smart Medicine take 500-1,000mg(dosage recommended for adults) of each 4-5 times daily, but you can take more as the VIT C can’t be overdosed as I noted earlier. 2

Home Remedy

    Yellow Onion- antimicrobial, cut in ½ warm in oven to 200 degrees, wrap in cheese cloth, hold against ear till onion is cool, onion can be reheated and reused.
    Tea Tree oil and Garlic- for itchy ears- mosten cotton swab w/ tea tree oil, dab on infected area morning and night, if to irritating dilute with mild veg or nut oil ie sunflower, almond, or olive (I RECOMMEND DILUTING especially for our young babes) 3drops tea tree to ½-1tsp carrier oil, If more help needed use 2 drops of garlic oil, After applying plug ear with cotton. (DON’T USE if ear drum is perforated!)
    Peppermint- for waxy buildup, 2 drops peppermint oil. ½ tsp olive oil, warm oils, while sleeping insert as much oil as ear will hold, plug with cotton. (DON’T USE if ear drum is perforated!)
    Hydrogen Peroxide- wax buildup, insert a few drops into the ear 2x/day for 2-3 days.(4)
    Dr. Mendelsohn recommends “Use a heating pad; insert two drops of heated (but not hot) olive oil in the child’s ear every two hours; give whiskey by mouth, which will help the child sleep (Give 10 drops of whiskey to a small baby and up to ½ tsp to a larger one. The does can be repeated in one hour and once more in another hour, if needed.); and, if severe pain continues, use the appropriate children’s does of acetaminophen. The object is to relieve the symptoms while the body defends itself.” (4)

    NOTE: NEVER USE INSTRUMENTS TO REMOVE WAX as the lining of the ear is very thin! This includes parents as well as doctors, as more damage can be done by inserting an instrument than the ear infection!

Herbal Medicine

    Echinacea – is antiviral works best if taken before ill, So I give it if we are going out in public etc, directions for dosage are on the bottles, I use Herbs for Kids brand.
    Garlic/mullein ear drops if ears are bothering him – can get them from
    Breastmilk in the ears is excellent. I also used specially formulated children's blends such as Herbs for Kids or
    Cecil, the aromatherapy snake
    Breastmilk, olive oil or steep garlic cloves in olive oil and use that
    Cat’s Claw- Enhances immune response and is antibacterial for adults take 500mg of extract 3x/day- not sure about this for children.2
    Goldenseal- is antibacterial and soothes mucous membranes. Stimulates immune system Can be taken with Echinacea- in fact there are often combination formulas available.2
    Garlic- as an antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitivc take 500mg 3-4times per day (adult dosage), You can put warm garlic oil into the ear also (1-2TBL for adults, 1-2 drops of antimicrobial garlic oil in infected ear, with 1-2 drops of mullein flower oil).(2,3) for younger children chopped garlic can be added to mashed potatoes (for our young ones you need to be aware of gas issues if you give garlic, for older children you can give tablets. It
    Mullien Oil- reduces swelling and inflammation. Heat to slightly above body temp, 1-2drops into ear. 2
    Oregano- antibacterial 75-100mg 3x/day (adult dosage)
    Herbal decongestant (3).
    St John’s Wort oil- for pain, add a drop or two per ear. Calms nerve sensitivity and helps ease discomfort.
    Noni Juice – scientific studies on Noni - http://www.cnw.com/~timo/scien/scientific.html can be dropped directly into the ear and can be taken internally

Immune System Boosters
Daily Vitamins- “KAL makes Immuno-Raptors, a naturally flavored and colored (with beets! ) chewable immune-boosting blend of Vita A, Vita C w/bioflavanoids, and Zinc, all of which will greatly enhance immune function.”(1)
Noni Juice – scientific studies on Noni - http://www.cnw.com/~timo/scien/scientific.html
Flax seed oil – make sure to get as fresh as possible!
    Zand Kids makes an excellent Insure Herbal formula with echinacea and goldenseal that you can give three times daily according to instructions. (1)

BRANDS-
Herbs for Kids
Gaia's Kids ear drops with garlic (natural antiviral/antibacterial), mullein and st. john's.

WEBSITES
Herbs can be purchased at healthfood stores, some at supermarkets, also online here
http://www.leavesandroots.com/
More info on herbs
http://www.herbs.org/

Homeopathic

    Belladona- “throbbing earache that is relieved by resting with head elevated, accompanied by fever, a flushed face, dilated pupils, and hot and moist skin” (adult dosage 30x or 9c 2-3x/day for one day). (2)
    Chamomilla- earache that causes intolerable pain, with irritability, anger, may have one red cheek, with hot and moist skin (adult dosage 12x, 30x, 6c, 9c 3x/day for 1-2 days). (2)
    Ferrum phosphorycum- earache with fever, (adult dosage 12x or 6c every 30 min for 4 doses). (2)
    Kali muruaticum- helps relieve nasal congestion and swollen glands, will help if your Eustachian tube is blocked. (adult dosage 12x or 6c three times/day for 1-2days). (2)
    Pulsatilla- earache with moderate fever, person desires cold, they wand fresh air. (adult dosage 30x or 9c 3x/day for 1-2 days). (2)
    Mercurius dulcis often works if others failed. (adult dosage 12c or 6c 3x/day for 2 days). (2)
hylands ear tablets (2)
similiason drops (2)
Cell Salt Therapy- Ferr.Phos, Kali Mur, Nat. Mur, Kali Phos, Calc Sulph.( There is more written about these if anyone is interested) (3).

If none of the homeopathic remedies seem right you may want to contact a homeopath in your area or online.

WEBSITES
Homeopathics can be purchase at health food stores or online at http://www.abchomeopathy.com
Chart for homeopathics for acute otitis media
http://www.medscape.com/content/2003/00/45/58/455872/455872_tab.html
More information on homeopath remedies for ear infections found here-
http://www.mycustompak.com/healthNotes/Homeo/Ear_Infections_hm.htm
Another website with information on Homeopathy in general
http://www.homeopathy2health.com/index.htm

Integrative Medicine

- chiropractor for adjustments for ears.(1) Alignments can increase blood and oxygen to the ears. (3)
- osteopath for cranial therapy for ears. (1)
- behind-the-ear massage to help promote the draining of fluid. (1)


In General

    Do not lay on your back, lie on the uninfected side. Prop head up with pillows (for adults). (2) For infants prop up mattress with towels etc under the mattress, so their head is raised. Also if not rolling yet you can place them on their sides with a special wedge pillow. If they are already rolling they may HATE the pillow .
    Apply warm compresses- some will feel better with warm other with cold. (2)
    Avoid air travel- due to pressure change, same can be said for car rides that contain a change in elevation. (2)

Prevention

* Give a 1/2 multivitamin + 1 100mg vitamin C (twice a day). (1)
* Flax seed oil. (1)
* Probiotic/prebiotic (not doing every day) (1)
* Wheat germ (1)
* A pinch of my zinc supplement (very small amount). (1)
* No dairy. (1)
* Organic foods as much as possible. (If meat/eggs, no growth hormones or antibiotics.) (1)
* Nontoxic cleaners around the house. (1) It is amazing the toxins in our cleaning products! EVEN bleach and ammonia, not to mention TOOTHPASTE ;).
* Open winter to air out house. (1)
    Cut out dairy, especially when ill as it increase the mucus
Many moms purchase otoscopes so they can keep an eye out for redness, they can be found at a Walgreens Pharmacy for only $10, and probably online at drugstore.com
    Avoid smoke (2)
    Massage ear (2)
    Use Elimination diet to determine if food allergies are contributing. (2)
    Avoid exposure to other allergens IE pets, dust etc(2,3). This includes washing bedding and clothes in allergy free detergents before using next to the baby(2,3).
    Kinesiologically test food “because poorly tolerated foods can result in the buildup of mucus, which is a precursor to many ear infections.”(3) If breastfeeding the mother can also get tested. “Common offenders include dairy, soy, wheat, corn, peanuts, chocolate, orange juice, and eggs.”(3)

References
1.Gentle Christian Mother’s Forum http://www.gentlechristianmothering.com
2.Smart Medicine For Healthier Living by Janet Zand, Allan Spreen, and James LaValle (1999).
3. Gentle Healing for Baby and Child by Andrea Candee and David Andrusia (2000)
4. How to Raise a Healthy Child… In Spite of your Doctor by Robert S. Mendelsohn M.D. (1984)

GOOD GENERAL WEBSITES
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/infant.htm
http://www.naturalhealthschool.com/

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I am a- Christian wife and Momma of two, artist, daughter, poet, baker, hiker, granddaughter, gardener, homemaker, dog owner, college graduate, sister, smiler, lover, friend, sommersaulter, swinger (as in swings!), aunt, creator, researcher, bather (I love baths), tea drinker, beer brewer, blackberry picker, canner, sewer, quilter, swimmer, riviter see Van's Aircraft RV9-A, and more.

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