Childhood ear infections, also known as otitis media, are the most common reasons for children's visits to pediatricians in North America. The diagnosis and treatments of middle ear infections accounts for roughly one third of all pediatric visits, comprising approximately 30 million visits a year in the US and 3 million in Canada. The overall cost of diagnosis and treatment now exceeds 2.2 billion dollars annually in the US.

For most children, ear infections begin in infancy. By the ageo of tree, over two thirds of all children have had one or more episode of otitis media, including 33% who have had three or more episodes. Most of these children continue to have problems until the age of six or seven, but the condition can persist until the teenage years, or even adulthood.

Conventional treatment

Antibiotics are the first choice of treatment in children with otitis media. FDA records show that antibiotic prescritions for otitis media have increased dramatically over the past twenty years. Netween 1977 to 1986 alone, antibiotic prescrptions to to young children increased by 51% while the number of children in this age group increased by only 9%.

Recent research has raised some disturbing questions about htis heavy antibiotic use in young children. Increasing antibiotic resistance to many bacteria, the questionable effeciveness of antibiotics and side-and after-effects of antibiotic treatments are raising some serious concerns. A number of scientific studies have found that children treated with antibiotics recover more slowly than controls and theat ear-intfections returned within six weks at a rate seven times higher than in childrens not treated with antibiotics.

Antibiotics tend to disturb the normal intestinal flora of beneficial bacteria which can promote overgrowth of the intestinges with harmful bacteria and yeast organisms (candida). These organisms are able to secrete harmful chemical compounds, which, in turn, tend to lower immune system fucntion and increase allergic tendencies, both increading the risk of future ear infections. For these reason physicians in many European countries such as Germany and Scandinavia, have now stopped the use of routine antibiotics for ear infections and only use them if complications develop.

Additionally, new research is showing a possible connection between early antibiotic use for ear infections in young children and the later development of autism and other developmental disorders. In view of the dramatic increase in autism in recent decades  and the ever-increasing antibiotic use, this hypothesis is truly concerning.

Tympanostomy tubes

Tympanostomy tubes ('tubes') inserted into the ear drum are the other most commonly used conventional treatment. Tubes are recommended when ear infections do not clear up and reisudal fluid remains in the middle ear. This is also known as 'effusion', as well as 'glue ear'. The tubes are disigned to help the fluid drain out through the external ear canal, rather than through the Eustachian tube, the normal drainage mechanism of the middle ear. This surgery is often temporarily helpful, but does not address the cause of the increased fluid production or poor drainage from the middle ear. Some studies show an incidence of up toi 52.3% of tympanosclerosis, scarring and hardening fo the ear drum, in children who received tubes.

Naturopathic treatment

From a naturopathic perspective the goal in treatment is to address the underlying causes of otitis meidal. There are generally four most common causes

a) Recurring upper respiratory tract infections which involve the middle ear.

b) Food and environmental sensitivities and allergies which lead to mucous membrane swelling and increased mucous production.

c) Mechanical obstruction of the Eustachian tubes, preventing normal drainage from the middle ear.

d) Exposure to toxins, such as parental smoking, other chemical and possibly some vaccinations.

Assessing the cause of your child's recurring ear infections is the most crucial factor in successful treatment, as treatment depends on the proper diagnosis.

Recurring upper respiratory tract infections

Nearly 50% of all cases of otitis media are preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. The naturopathic approach in these cases involves strengthening the immune system by optimizing nutrition, using supplements such as vitamin C and zinc, as well as certain well-known herbs such as Echinacea and Astragalus to prevent as well as treat infections. Some children seem more prone to colds and flus from birth; these children often respond dramatically to a well-selected constitutional homeopathic remedy, which can greatly reduce this predisposition to infections. Homeopathic remedies are also extremely effective in treating actute infections.

Food and environmental sensitivities and allergies

Children with a personal or family history of allergies are more likely to develop otitis media. Some studies suggest that food allergies may be the sole or major cause of most cases of chronic fluid in the middle ear. 91% of cases may be resolved by treating food allergies. The most common allergy appears to be cows milk and milk products. Individual assessment is best, however, parents are often successful in clearing up chronic infections and fluid build-up by just eliminating dairy products on their own.

Mechanical obstruction

The Eustachian tube leads from the middle ear to the throat. Misalignment of the vertebrae of the neck, jaw misalignments, cranial (skull) misalignments and malformations, sometimes caused by birth trauma or forceps deliveries, can all impact on the ability of the Eustachain tubes to drain fluids, due to the anatomatical location of this structure. Enlarged tonsils can have the same effect. A mechanical cause is more frequent in cases of unilateral recurring infections. I assess all otitis media patients carefully for mechanical obstrictions and refer to the appropriate other professionals for structual treatments, when needed.

Chemical Exposure

Children living in homes where one or more adults smoke have a three-to four-fold increase in risk of developing otitis media, than children living with non-smokers. Otitis media occurs in as many as 93% of children with fetal alcohol syndrome. Some studies suggest an increased risk of otitis media and especially chronic effusion in children who were vaccinated.   

Cost efficacy

Naturopathic treatment of ear infections is much more cost effective than conventional treatment. The cost of conventional treatment of ear infections per child averages at $1093, ranging from $144 - $7137 per child. Naturopathic costs per child: $208 - $668.

Research

To date there have been over thirty studies published which support naturopathic protocols for the treatment of otitis media, including six double blind clinical trials, six other controlled studies, and over twenty supportive studies.

To summarize, otitis media is a complex condition, requiring careful assessment. Conventional medicine does not address the underlying causes of this condition and treatment with antibiotics tends to aggravate it and can lead to many other health problems. Naturopathic medicine is more effective, addresses underlying problems, and increases the child's overall health.