Ear infections cause pain for individuals of all ages. They also can make it difficult to hear, which is especially crucial for young children learning how to speak. An ear infection can sometimes affect balance, so getting them treated as soon as possible can help everyone stay safe. Here at Vital Wellness Center, our chiropractor for ear infections, Dr. Foss, wants everyone to know about this condition and what an excellent natural ear infection remedy we have in targeted chiropractic care.
What Are Ear Infections?
The ear is made of three parts. The visible portion of the ear is known as the external ear. It is separated from the middle ear by the ear drum. The middle ear is essential for hearing. This portion of the ear also contains the Eustachian tubes, which connect the back of the nose with the middle ear to adjust the pressure inside of the ear so we can hear adequately. The inner ear is the deepest portion of the ear and is also responsible for balance in addition to hearing.
Different types of ear infections occur in different portions of the ear. Acute otitis media is a middle ear infection. Sometimes, fluid accumulates in the middle ear even though no infection is present. This is called otitis media with effusion.
When swimming pool, shower, or other water remains in the outer ear canal, it can create a moist environment where bacteria flourishes. This can cause an infection called Swimmer’s ear.
Common Causes of Ear Infections in Infants and Toddlers
Acute otitis media is another name for a middle ear infection. This is the most common type of ear infection in infants and toddlers that we see here at Vital Wellness Center. This is due to differences in the structure of children’s middle ears and their immune systems.
Since children’s Eustachian tubes haven’t achieved their larger adult size or rounder adult shape, fluid doesn’t drain easily through them. As a result, fluid can accumulate in the middle ear when they become blocked by mucus during an infection. Sometimes, the Eustachian tubes become irritated and inflamed due to cigarette smoke, allergies, and excess mucus buildup. Air pressure changes and swollen adenoids can also block these critical tubes.
Since children’s immune systems aren’t fully developed, children are more susceptible to infections. Most children have ear infections with upper respiratory infections. This is because the bacteria from an upper respiratory infection quickly travel up the Eustachian tubes to infect the middle ear. At Vital Wellness Center, our chiropractic for ear infections in toddlers focuses on building immune system reserves to help prevent such infections.
Common Causes of Ear Infections in Adults
While adults can also get middle ear infections, they are less susceptible to them than children. The most common causes of middle ear infections in adults and children include bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. The common cold and other viruses can also lead to middle ear infections. As with toddlers, our chiropractic for ear infections in adults also focuses on bolstering the immune system to keep infections from taking hold in the middle ear.
Symptoms of Ear Infections
Although infants can’t talk, they have many ways of showing us they have middle ear infections. Some prevalent signs of ear and other infections include changes in mood. Babies with ear infections cry more frequently or become fussier. They also often have difficulty falling asleep.
In addition to crying, babies tend to pull at a painfully infected ear. They often develop a fever and pus-like ear drainage due to the infection. They can also have difficulty balancing and hearing. Hearing low-decibel sounds might become impossible.
A swimmer’s ear infection also causes all of the symptoms of a middle ear infection. This particular form of ear infection also causes itchiness, redness, and swelling in the ear. Sometimes, ear pain occurs when the child is chewing. Ear drainage is also common with Swimmer’s ear.
How Our Chiropractic Works to Relieve Ear Infection Pain
Here at Vital Wellness Center, our chiropractic for ear infections focuses on the underlying issues behind the pain. This includes strengthening the immune system and optimizing how the body responds to pain.
Pain is a warning from the body of an issue, but sometimes the body sends incomplete or warped pain messages to the brain. A chiropractic adjustment, supportive nutrition, and other natural ear infection remedy methods can help regulate how information travels between the ear and brain. This results in pain signals that more accurately reflect the level of infection present.
Our chiropractic for ear infection relief also focuses on enhancing the immune system to prevent infection in the first place. Improving brain-nerve-body communication through chiropractic adjustment also enhances circulation, hormonal regulation, and other factors that influence how the immune system works.
In the case of Swimmer’s ear, keeping water from entering the external ear canal is not always possible. Ear plugs fall out, swimming caps fall off, or custom-fitted swim molds never make it out of the bag. In the heat of the moment, children forget to keep their heads above water.
Our chiropractor, Dr. Foss, treats the whole family, and as a doctor and father himself, he’s become very familiar with children’s play habits. Parents of children prone to Swimmer’s ear should, instead, focus on getting the ears as dry as possible after swimming. Then, tilt the head and pull the ear facing downward in as many directions as possible to encourage any water to flow out of it. Repeat this process on the other side. Finally, if any water remains, be prepared to blow dry the ears to remove all moisture. If a child is especially prone to this condition, such ear care may be necessary after showering.
Despite our best efforts, sometimes, a child develops an ear infection. While prescription antibiotic ear drops are available, we encourage parents to make a homemade ear drop solution to administer before an infection occurs. This simple natural ear infection remedy blends one part rubbing alcohol with one part vinegar. The rubbing alcohol dries up the fluid in the ears while the vinegar creates an acidic environment that discourages bacterial growth. Parents should instill a few drops in each ear after swimming, showering, or other activities in which the ears are in contact with large amounts of water.
Benefits of Our Chiropractic Care for Chronic Ear Infections in Children
Sometimes, ear infections can become a repeat occurrence. Fortunately, chronic ear infections have also been successfully alleviated and sometimes even eliminated with our chiropractic care.
Dr. Foss advises that a chiropractic adjustment gets the fluids inside the middle ear moving. A potential site of lingering bacteria disappears when the liquid is gone. This enhances the immune function that our chiropractic intervention works to cultivate.
Discover the Difference Chiropractic Ear Infection Relief Can Make
While research studies and statistics are educational, they can’t help you or your child combat ear infections unless you apply them. Our experienced chiropractor has years of experience and the necessary expertise to help you maximize the benefits of scientific research. We also love working with children. If you want to discover the possibilities that chiropractic ear infection relief holds, we encourage you to give us a call or complete our online contact form. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and schedule a natural ear health consultation.
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