My Child has an Ear Infection. Help!
If you have kids, it’s likely you know a thing or two about ear infections. In the United States, five out of six children experience an ear infection by three years old. Children are more prone to ear infections due to their immature Eustachian tube (part of the middle ear), which in infancy and early childhood is shorter and angled. This allows bacteria to more easily access the middle ear. While ear infections are most common in children, adults can experience them as well.
Read on to learn about how chiropractic can decrease ear infections.
Symptoms
Ear infections are caused by a bacteria or virus in the middle ear, and can be painful due to inflammation and a build-up of fluids. Colds, flu and allergies can bring on an ear infection due to the congestion and swelling of nasal passages, throat and Eustachian tubes. In most cases, the symptoms and signs of ear infection develop rapidly. The most common symptoms include:- Ear pain, worsened when lying down
- Difficulty sleeping
- Drainage of fluid from the ear
- Diminished hearing
- Loss of balance
- Fever
- Headache
Symptoms to Look for in Children
- Tugging or pulling at an ear
- Difficulty sleeping
- Crying more than usual
- Irritable/changes in mood
- Lack of response to sounds
- Fevers over 100° F