Ear infections

Ear infections are very popular among children and can also be with adults as well.  I remember when I used to fly on airplanes a lot, I used to get ear infections every other month or so.  What a lot of people don’t know is that you have several other options besides taking the overused and abused antibiotics. 

In fact, many recent studies state that antibiotics are being overprescribed which is causing more health problems then they initially solved. To learn more visit: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/using-antibiotics-wisely-topic-overview.

Also I would recommend reading “The Lost Language of Plants” by Stephen Harrod Buhner  that talks about how we are all ingesting antibiotics and other drugs, whether we want to or not.

The first thing I recommend if you have an ear infection is to see a good chiropractor.  Surprisingly to some, chiropractic care is indicated not only for ear infections but as a safe guard against them as well.  As you know children are rambunctious, and vulnerable structures in the upper and lower neck are often affected without readily apparent symptoms or signs. Because these injuries also affect the nervous system, many people don’t associate them with altered spinal conditions.  The top two bones in the neck called the Atlas and Axis surround and are lightly tethered to the brain stem.  As these bones fail to move fluidly due to injury, brain function is impaired, and affects the body’s immune response.  Ear infections then occur because of the opportunistic bacteria and viruses.  The body responds by spiking a fever to burn up the bacteria as a secondary defense.  Chiropractic care is effective because the tissues in the neck are now swollen from the “infection” and poor drainage occurs.  Gentle spinal adjustments reduce the underlying muscle tightness that is contributing to the poor drainage and insure the bones are aligned and moving in a balance fashion. (Information from Dr. Michael Ashley – Chiropractor)

Next I recommend that the person stop eating dairy, sugar and wheat products.  I can’t tell you how many people I have told this to that now have no ear or sinus problems, just from eliminating these things from their diet.  Dairy especially is bad at clogging up the lymph system, and if the lymph system isn’t draining properly, it can cause a build up in the head, causing ear problems, sinus problems and headaches.

If you have had an ear infection before, and have taken an antibiotic, then after you have finished it you should take a pro-biotic to repopulate the beneficial bacteria or pro-biotics that were killed when you took the antibiotic.  It has also been proven that taking a pro-biotic when you have a respiratory infection can shorten it significantly and prevent future infections as well.  Read more about this at: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20051107/good-bacteria-good-for-colds  Of course eating yogurt would be bad however, because of the dairy, and the high percentage of sugar they put in the yogurts.  Instead find a good pro-biotic at your local health food store.  There are many strains, acidophilus is just one strain, try to get one with more than one strain for best results.

Another very helpful supplement that is good for ear infections is colloidal silver.  There are many brands of colloidal silver, but only 3 that we know of that actually have a U.S. Patent on them which lists the organisms they are proven to kill.  Colloidal silver has no taste, can be taken internally and can be put with a dropper into the ear.

If you are in a pinch and can’t get to the health food store, one thing you can try which many mothers have used in the past is warmed olive oil dropped into the ear.  You can also add garlic to the olive oil as well if you want to help kill the infection.  The olive oil acts as a natural anti-inflammatory to help bring down inflammation in the ear.  Some stores sell garlic oil in capsules that you can prick with a pin and squirt into the ear for infections.

There is one herb that is used to strengthen the ears, and that is mullein.  Taken in liquid, capsules or tea, it can help to strengthen the ears to prevent future issues.

There are several homeopathic remedies that are for inflammation, including Ferrum Phosphorus, and Belladonna. These both can be used to help bring down inflammation and fevers associated with infection. 

On that same note, are you sure it is even an infection and that the pain isn’t being caused by teething?  Many times with my son, I have found that giving him a homeopathic for teething stops the pain and the problem. Remember teething affects the whole head and often as they have teeth falling out, and growing back in, it can cause an imbalance, inflammation and symptoms identical to ear infections.  The homeopathic I use for this is Chamomilla.  It is great for teething and irritability.

There are several other remedies we sell for inflammation, infection and flushing the lymph system.  Check with your local herbalist or health food store for what people are finding useful. There are some companies that sell products specifically for ear infections and inflammation that work extremely well.

Emotionally there may be an issue as well.  For example: what do you not what to hear? Or what are you not hearing that you want to hear? Obviously this is popular with kids as they don’t want to hear what their parents and teachers are trying to tell them – do this, do that, clean your room, etc.  Acknowledging this often can help to break the cycle of reoccurrence.  As a parent, maybe look at your delivery system and how you are talking to the child, and find a way to explain things that will cause them to reach for the information instead of close down.

In addition to the items listed, making sure the person is eating a healthy diet, and eliminating toxins is also key to preventing them from getting an infection in the first place.