Treating Otitis Media (Ear Infection)

Treating Otitis Media (Ear Infection)
The ear consists of three major parts: the outer ear, the middle ear
and the inner ear. The outer ear includes the pinna - the visible part
of the ear - and the ear canal. The outer ear extends to the tympanic
membrane or eardrum, which separates the outer ear from the middle ear.
The middle ear is an air-filled space that is located behind the
eardrum. The middle ear contains three tiny bones, the malleus, incus
and stapes, which transmit sound from the eardrum to the inner ear. The
inner ear contains the hearing and balance organs. The cochlea contains
the hearing organ which converts sound into electrical signals which
are associated with the origin of impulses carried by nerves to the
brain where their meanings are appreciated.

Otitis, or ear infection, can affect the internal ear or the
external ear. Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the
middle ear. This inflammation often begins when infections that cause
sore throats, colds, or other respiratory or breathing problems spread
to the middle ear. Seventy-five percent of children experience at least
one episode of otitis media by their third birthday. Almost half of
these children will have three or more ear infections during their
first three years. It is estimated that medical costs and lost wages
because of otitis media amount to $5 billion* a year in the United
States. Although otitis media is primarily a disease of infants and
young children, it can also affect adults.

Otitis media usually results from a bacterial or viral infection secondary to a cold, sore throat or other respiratory problem.

Glue ear is fluid behind the ear drum. It blocks the middle ear and
causes partial deafness. It can be mild, coming and going by itself, or
it can be long term causing lots more problems and becoming difficult
to deal with. Sometimes there is also an infection inside the ear which
may be painful. Sometimes you would hardly know that fluid was there,
except your child is battling with changeable hearing.

One of the treatments often suggested by ear, nose and throat surgeons, and GPs for

children with glue ear, is autoinflation. That's blowing hard out of the nose or pinching

it to get air into the middle ear.

Children are more likely to suffer from otitis media than adults. First, children have

more trouble fighting infections. This is because their immune systems are still

developing. Another reason has to do with the child's Eustachian tube. The eustachian tube

is a small passageway that connects the upper part of the throat to the middle ear. It is

shorter and straighter in the child than in the adult. It can contribute to otitis media

in several ways.

One more factor that makes children more susceptible to otitis media is that adenoids

in children are larger than they are in adults. Adenoids are composed largely of cells

(lymphocytes) that help fight infections. They are positioned in the back of the upper

part of the throat near the eustachian tubes. Enlarged adenoids can, because of their size,

interfere with the eustachian tube opening. In addition, adenoids may themselves become

infected, and the infection may spread into the eustachian tubes.

Bacteria reach the middle ear through the lining or the passageway of the eustachian

tube and can then produce infection which causes swelling of the lining of the middle ear,

blocking of the eustachian tube and the migration of white cells from the bloodstream to

help fight the infection. In this process the white cells accumulate, often killing

bacteria and dying themselves, leading to the formation of pus, a thick yellowish-white

fluid in the middle ear. As the fluid increases, the child may have trouble hearing

because the eardrum and middle ear bones are unable to move as freely as they should. As

the infection worsens, many children also experience severe ear pain. Too much fluid in

the ear can put pressure on the eardrum and eventually tear it.

Otitis media not only causes severe pain but may result in serious complications if it

is not treated. An untreated infection can travel from the middle ear to the nearby parts

of the head, including the brain. Although the hearing loss caused by otitis media is

usually temporary, untreated otitis media may lead to permanent hearing impairment.

Persistent fluid in the middle ear and chronic otitis media can reduce a child's hearing

at a time that is critical for speech and language development. Children who have early

hearing impairment from frequent ear infections are likely to have speech and language

disabilities.

Specific prevention strategies applicable to all infants and children such as

immunization against viral respiratory infections or specifically against the bacteria

that cause otitis media are not currently available. Nevertheless, it is known that

children who are cared for in group care settings as well as children who live with adults

who smoke cigarettes have more ear infections. Therefore a child who is prone to otitis

media should avoid contact with sick playmates and environmental tobacco smoke. Infants

who nurse from a bottle while lying down also appear to develop otitis media more

frequently. Children who have been breast fed often have fewer episodes of otitis media.

Research has shown that cold and allergy medications such as antihistamines and

decongestants are not helpful in preventing ear infections. The best hope for avoiding ear


infections is the development of vaccines against the bacteria that most often cause

otitis media. Scientists are currently developing

vaccines that show promise in preventing otitis media. Additional clinical research must

be completed to ensure their effectiveness and safety.

Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc and Echinacea can help the immune system to function

effectively. Garlic oil and Tea tree oil in eardrops helps kill the bacteria.

The
nutrients mentioned above reflect the major nutritional supplements
that may help the condition. Please do remember however that
nutritional supplementation is an adjunct to medical treatment and in
no way replaces medical treatment.

- Gates GA, Cost-effectiveness Considerations in Otitis Media
Treatment, Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 114 (4), April 1996, 525-530.