Ear infections are tricky to diagnose. The Centers for Disease Prevention has recommended there be no antibiotics for ear infections unless the infection is serious and confirmed to be bacterial. Many doctors feel pressured to prescribe antibiotics when parents express concerns with their children being in pain . Most parents expect to leave the appointment with a prescription.
Many ear infections are not caused by bacteria but, they are treated as they are. Ear pain is often triggered when there is fluid buildup in the middle ear due to cold or flu. Ear infections often onset due to children having a weak immune system, exposure to cigarette smoke, swollen glands,and exposure to viruses or bacteria. Poor diet can often cause ear infections as well. Children who eat a lot of dairy products can have frequent ear infections. Dairy often produces more mucous in the body. Foods high in sugar including white flour products and sugar increase mucous production as well. Caffeinated sodas such as Coca- Cola can suppress the immune system for 6 hours . Imagine with each can of soda you drink, you continue to lower your defense mechanisms. Pacifier use in infants can also cause ear pain.
Natural remedies that help bolster the immune system are zinc, Esberitox, echinacea, golden seal, and vitamin C. zinc and vitamin C can be used year round. The rest can only be used for 7 days a month for maintaining and keeping a healthy immune system. Most product labels say they can be used for 2 weeks at a time. This information is not correct based upon my research. Echinacea and golden seal are age old remedies that were mainly used for one week a month. Think of it as taking a week to focus on tuning up your immune system.
If you or your child suffers with chronic ear infections Host Defense, Wellmune WGP, and Cell Activator (by Herbalife) are supplements that can offer long term immune support. If swollen lymph glands are the reason for the ear infection Esberitox can help clear blocked lymph glands.
A drug-free formulation more widely available is Airborne. Airborne was created by a school teacher to help prevent getting sick. Airborne is more effective when used at the start of cold and flu season.
Chiropractic treatment is effective with helping adults and children. A simple adjustment can improve lymphatic drainage. Children respond very quickly to it and may just need one or two treatments. Difficult cases may require as much as six to seven treatments.
Louise Hay explains in her book, “Heal Your Body”, that ear aches may be related to an emotional cause. Anger is given as an example. Parents may be arguing, too many household problems. When I was 13 years old, I had five ear infections in one year. At the time I was much stressed at home. My mother had just gotten married for the second time. The newlyweds were constantly arguing. Stress can definitely lower the immune system and manifest in different forms of ailments.
Natural remedies can help bolster the immune system to help the body fight vulnerability to getting sick. The root cause of ear infections are often the result of having a weaker immune system. Building up the immune system is the primary way to keep well especially during the winter months.
Reference:
- www.enzymatictherapy.com/Products/Immune-and-Respiratory/Immune/09952-Esberitox.aspx
- www.wellmune.com/
- www.healthtalkresearch.com/
