Millions of children are treated each year for middle ear infections (otitis media).
Seventy percent of all children are known to have suffered from ear infections during their childhood. This conditions is most commonly found in children between the ages of six months and three years. This a very painful condition, causing discomfort and loss of sleep for children and their parents. This is the most common childhood disorder. But most children will outgrow them by the time they reach three years of age.

The ear consists of the outer, middle and inner ears. The outer is the visible part that extends from the side of the head. The middle ear involves three small bones which are responsible for carrying the sound vibrations to the inner ear. The inner ear with nerve endings makes the hearing process complete and helps maintain balance.

CAUSES

The most common type of ear infection involves the middle ear.
It is connected to the sinuses and throat by the eustachian tube. Fluid from the tube can drain through the sinuses and throat under normal conditions. But when the eustachian tube is blocked, pain and infection may result. Infants and small children have small eustachian tubes which easily become blocked. The tube is often more horizontal than vertical, allowing for fluid buildup. This fluid offers an environment for bacteria to grow. As children grow, the structure of the inner ear changes which helps the fluid to drain properly, avoiding infection.

Ear infections often accompany colds and respiratory problems. Ear infections are usually caused by two organisms known as Streptococcus pneumonia and the Hemophilus influenza. Viral infections may occasionally cause earaches.
Weak tissue support in the eustachian tube and abnormal openings in the tube can cause fluid to build up, leading to infections.

Allergies are also considered a factor in ear infections.
Tala Nsouli, an allergist at Georgetown University School of Medicine, became concerned when he realized that many of the patients he treated for allergies suffered from chronic ear infections and even hearing loss. He did a study with his colleagues testing 104 children ranging in age from 18 months to nine years who had suffered from ear infections over a three month period or had repeated episodes over a period of five months.
Eighty-one of those children tested positive to allergies, mainly to wheat and milk. For four months these children were taken off the foods that caused the allergic reactions. Seventy of them got better when kept off the offending foods. After the four month period, the foods were gradually introduced back into the children's diets. Sixty-six of those children got ear infections again. This is certainly strong evidence linking ear infections and allergies, and parents should take note and check into the possibility if their children suffer from recurring ear infections.

Bottle fed infants are more likely to develop ear infections.
This may be the result of two contributing factors. One is an allergic reaction to the formula. Another factor may be the position of the infant when fed a bottle allowing for the fluid to stay in the tube.

Swimmer's ear occurs when the fluid is trapped in the ear canal. An infection may occur. This is common in children who spend a lot of time at the swimming pool. The usual treatment involves antibiotics. Many doctors and parents fear hearing loss may occur if the condition is not treated immediately. For this reason, many children are put on antibiotics for extended periods of time because the ear infections recur and persist.

Dr. Robert Mendelsohn discusses some of his experiences in his book How To Raise A Healthy Child ... In Spite Of Your Doctor.  "The only case in which the use of antibiotics can remotely be justified is if the ear is actually discharging pus, which occurs in less than 1 percent of ear infections, and I'm not convinced that it can be justified even then."

A series of controlled studies have revealed that the use of antibiotics for treatment of ear infections makes no difference. Their use may slightly shorten the duration of pain and infection, but the trade-off is that the antibiotics also reduce the body's natural immune response. Consequently, in order to slightly reduce the duration of the infection, you increase the possibility that the child will have infections every four to six weeks."

Tubes, myringotomy, may be inserted through the eardrums to increase the fluid drainage. This treatment is controversial and may actually increase the risk of ear infection. Whether to use antibiotics or not is up to the individual. A lot more people are looking at the statistics and results of scientific research before making a decision as to the best path to choose when dealing with earaches and infections.

HOME CARE:
Do not use any eardrops if the eardrum has ruptured. Prop the child at a 30 degree angle to promote drainage to reduce the pain. A warm compress can help reduce the pain.

DIETARY GUIDELINES:
Avoid any foods which may cause allergies such as dairy and wheat, corn, peanut butter, oranges, sugar.

Fresh juices are recommended as they help to dilute mucus secretions.
Liquids are important such as pure water, herbal teas and clear soups.

A book we highly recommend...
	TODAY's HERBAL HEALTH FOR CHILDREN Louise Tenney

NATURAL REMEDIES RECOMMENDED BY FWNC

Recent studies show the longer a baby is nursed, the less likely he will contract otitis media and other infections. Myringotomy (placing tiny tube in ears) is #1 surgery in US.
It has been discovered that 50% are unnecessary.

HERBALS:
LYMPH GLAND CLEANSE (IGS) or IN-X - 6 a day for mom if nursing

FENUGREEK & THYME - clears mucous of Mom & Baby

Ear Drops
A few drops of warm garlic oil can be placed in the ear if the eardrum has not ruptured. Nothing should be put in the ear if the eardrum has burst. Garlic pills and capsules can also be taken to increase immunity and to speed healing.

INTERNALLY:
• BIFIDOPHILUS - open & mix with food or milk

• ECHINACEA GOLDEN SEAL - immune stimulate

Bake large onion and while still hot place over ear.
Use juice as ear drops.

HOMEOPATHIC:
DISTRESS REMEDY

OTHER:
Give baby garlic enema, very effective.

Lobelia
Lobelia is relaxing and helps clear obstructions. A (warm) drop can be placed in the ear if the eardrum is intact.