Otitis media, also known as an ear ache, is the number one reason that parents bring their children to a doctor, with 3 out of 4 children experiencing an ear infection before age 4! It is caused by a bacterial infection in the middle ear that results in fluid building up, leading to pain, fever, and inflammation.

There are three types of otitis media. Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common ear infection which causes pain and can cause a fever. Otitis media with effusion (OME) occurs when fluid stays trapped behind the eardrum after an ear infection. Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) occurs when fluid remains in the middle ear even though there is no infection. Chronic otitis media makes it difficult for the body to heal new infections and can affect hearing.

Conventional treatments for otitis media include antibiotics, vaccinations, and surgery for more chronic cases to implant ventilation tubes in the eardrum. For prevention, doctors recommend breast-feeding infants if possible, never letting a child fall asleep with a bottle, limiting children’s exposure to airborne pollutants— especially cigarette smoke, and keeping ears as dry as possible after swimming.

Natural solutions for supporting normal ear and inflammatory function include chiropractic care to free the flow of lymphatic fluid to and from the ear, eliminating dairy from the child’s diet, supplementing with probiotics such as Flora Chewable to maintain the proliferation of friendly bacteria, and homeopathics such as Inflamma-Tone and Drainage-Tone to bolster the immune system and offer natural pain relief.

Ear aches have sadly become a part of growing up, but they don’t have to become chronic or complex. By becoming knowledgeable about the causes, treatments, and natural alternatives, you can offer safe and effective solutions for the other "growing pain!"