My granddaughter just turned one
year old, and we are all quite happy that she has pretty
much survived a difficult first year caused by the
occurrences of ear infections.
Ear infections, although quite common in young children,
still produce a sense of helplessness in parents. But
knowing the signs to look for, what to expect, and how this
type of infection is treated can lessen some of that
helpless feeling, and make those first few years with a
child less stressful, especially for new parents.
An ear infection will usually start out with a cold or sinus
infection. My granddaughter was only a few months old when
she developed a bad cold, which eventually resulted in
painful, difficult to treat infections in both ear. (
please read the hydrogen peroxide chapter)
Basically how this happens is that inside the external ear
is an ear canal. This canal leads to the eardrum, behind
which is the middle ear. Located there are tiny bones that
vibrate and produce the different sounds that we hear. A
long thin tube called the eustachian tube, leads to the back
of the throat. At the opening of this tube toward the brain
is the adenoid. When a child develops a cold these adenoids
enlarge, and this enlargement essentially blocks the
eustachian tubes. As a result, fluid starts to form, and
then collects in the middle ear cavity. Since bacteria is
usually present in this area, the bacteria multiplies within
this fluid. An infection is the result.
At times the presence of an ear infection can be without
symptoms. If this is the case, the signs to look are tugging
at the ear, especially by infants who have not yet learned
to talk. Also crankiness, whining, and a slight fever around
bedtime. Poor appetite, even diarrhea are good indications
of an ear infection.
A course of medical treatment is required to treat these
sometimes stubborn infections, which is namely antibiotics.
In some cases fluid can build up inside the ear, causing
great pain. A ruptured eardrum can result, producing a
pinhole perforated area. In fact what is known as a
myringotomy, a procedural treatment used before antibiotics
was a deliberate puncture made inside the eardrum in order
to relieve the pressure caused by the buildup of fluid.
If an ear infection continues, another treatment that might
be recommended is the insertion of tiny plastic tubes into
the ear in order to help the fluid drain. This has not been
proven to be as effective a treatment as in some cases no
marked improvement has resulted by its implementation.
If fluid remains inside the ear, even when the infection has
been cleared, this is a condition known as serous otitis,
which is essentially a chronic condition. Again plastic
tubes inserted in the ear may be recommended, plus removal
of the adenoids, all of which would of course have to be
discussed with a qualified physician.
As a child develops, the eustachian tube grows and
thankfully the occurrences of ear infections do decrease.
But in the meantime, ear infections will undoubtedly occur
with most young children. But if parents are vigilant and
aware, and obtain early diagnoses, with proper medical
treatment, i.e. the use of antibiotics, tube insertions,
etc. this will at least help fight this all too painful
childhood illness.
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