Ear Infections
by Debbie Markel, CH, CNHP
How many children do you know who suffer from chronic ear infections? It seems that almost every child I know has had at least one case of acute otitis media, or AOM as it’s also called. Even though AOM mainly affects children, adults can also be victims of this painful condition. It is estimated that by age 7, up to 95% of all children in the U.S. will have experienced at least one case of AOM and it is the number one reason parents take a child to the doctor.
AOM is an infection of the middle ear. It often occurs when the Eustachian tube connecting the upper part of the throat to the middle ear is blocked by mucus and swelling, usually from a cold or the flu. Fluids cannot drain properly and will pool behind the eardrum. Bacteria are attracted to moist, dark places, so they will thrive in the fluids in the middle ear, resulting in an infection. Infections generate even more fluid which build up and prevent the eardrum and small bones in the ear from moving. This can cause painful pressure, redness, swelling, and temporary hearing loss.
Many children with recurrent ear infections may be allergic to certain foods. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that more than half of children with chronic ear infections had food allergies. When those foods were removed, the children’s health significantly improved. Another study showed that children who were allergic to cow’s milk were almost twice as likely to have numerous ear infections as those without the allergy. If your child has a history of multiple ear infections, you may want to have him or her tested for allergies. Since eating sugar can impair immune function, some doctors suggest that children with recurrent ear infections cut back on the amounts of sugar they eat or eliminate it completely. Also, a study of 132 children in a daycare center found that the 45 children exposed to cigarette smoke at home had a 38% higher risk of middle ear infections than the 87 children whose parents didn't smoke so if you smoke, don’t do it around your children. Finally, several studies have shown that when babies are breast fed, they are less prone to developing ear infections than bottle fed babies. It is interesting to note that using pacifiers increased ear infection rates in babies and toddlers.
Most middle ear infections will resolve on their own without treatment and in fact, antibiotic treatment does not appear to help AOM much at all. Antibiotics haven’t even been shown conclusively to prevent complications. Numerous studies have found so little benefit with antibiotic treatment that the authors of one study recommended that physicians take a wait and see attitude rather than administer antibiotic drugs. Finally, children with recurrent ear infections do not appear to benefit from using antibiotics as preventive treatment as some doctors have suggested. Often these children have tubes inserted surgically in their ears to promote drainage. As with all surgery, this procedure could carry a few risks.
Natural treatments are available for ear infections. Xylitol is a natural sugar found in plums, strawberries, and raspberries. It can be used as a natural sweetener in place of sugar and is currently used in sugar-free candies, gum, and many other food products. Studies show that it inhibits the growth of several types of bacteria. These include Streptococcus mutans, a type of bacteria that causes dental cavities; Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can cause ear infections; and Haemophilus influenza, another bacterium linked to ear infections. Two well-designed studies that included a total of 1,163 children found that chewing gum and syrup sweetened with xylitol helped prevent middle ear infections. Xylitol did not absolutely prevent ear infections, but it significantly decreased the rate at which they occurred. In these studies, children were given 8.4 grams of xylitol-sweetened gum daily or 10 g of xylitol syrup daily. The group chewing the gum reduced their risk of developing ear infections by 40%. Xylitol is a very safe sweetener that can be used exactly like sugar. People using excessive amounts, however, may develop stomach discomfort or diarrhea.
Some older people may remember their mothers or grandmothers putting “sweet oil” in their ears when they had an ear ache. “Sweet oil” was nothing more than pure olive oil. It was warmed and dropped into the ears to relieve pain. Natural ear drops often have olive oil as their base, but will also contain garlic to fight bacteria; mullein leaves as a drying agent; and St. John’s wort to help ease the pain. Taking garlic, echinacea, goldenseal, or extra vitamin C will strengthen immunity and help fight off the germs from within. Remember that even when a child is in pain, never give babies and small children aspirin because it can lead to a serious condition known as Reyes Syndrome.
It is still important to see a healthcare practitioner to diagnose an ear infection, but normally, doing nothing has been shown to be just as effective as taking drugs for AOM. Overuse of antibiotics is leading to the development of “super bugs,” which are drug-resistant strains of bacteria that can cause serious health problems. To stop this vicious cycle, next time you or your child has an ear infections, why not try some natural remedies and wait and see what happens. According to the experts, odds are good that the outcome will be exactly the same as before.