Ear infections may frequently persist in young children as well as babies and is among the most common indications for the prescription of antibiotic drugs. Among four children, three will suffer from ear infections which are also called otitis media before they reach the age of 3 as stated by health officials.
What are the primary symptoms of otitis media that will occur in children which parents must take notice of?
- Increased irritability as well as fussiness most especially during nighttime
- Presence of fever which is most commonly slightly elevated than the normal temperature
- Symptoms of flu or colds – Generally, otitis media is followed by colds or other infections of the upper respiratory tract.
- Ear pain or slight hearing loss
- Presence of discharges from the ear that is affected
- Loss of sleep and also the craving for food
The causes of ear infections in children are:
- Underdeveloped Eustachian tubes: ear infections are likely to be more common among children because there Eustachian tubes are narrower. These tubes are the passages which connect the middle ear to the rear area of the throat. With children, these tubes are more prone to blockage which will cause the fluid to build up inside the middle ear. When compared to the adults, the Eustachian tubes of children are shorter and more horizontal. Through this anatomical difference, movement of the bacteria from the throat will become easier.
- Colds: Colds or other infections of the upper respiratory tract will cause the swelling of the nose that will result to the interruption of fluid drainage. Both bacteria and viruses can enter the ear which will cause infection and result to the increased fluid inside the ear, ear pain, fever, and hearing loss in some cases.
- Underdeveloped immune system – Since the immune systems of children are not yet fully developed, they are more prone to infections.
- Given that the adenoids in children are larger and will interfere with the opening of the Eustachian tube, fluid will not be allowed to drain
Treating ear infections in children
It is only recently that children who are suffering from otitis media are being treated with prescribed antibiotics. Nonetheless, recent studies indicated that a lot of infections of the ear will usually clear out without the need of using antibiotics. Antibiotics are ineffective in over fifty percent of all the infections which are caused by viral infection. It is important to take into consideration that unimportant treatment with the use of antibiotics will cause bacterial resistance, side effects and also allergic responses.
Some strains of bacteria have already become resistant to some antibiotics. It is for these reasons that most doctors are hesitant to prescribe antibiotics immediately following diagnosis and will prefer for the so-called watchful waiting approach. As indicated by this approach, antibiotics are oversubscribed which have raised worries about drug resistance and also the growing evidence that a good number of ear infections in children will heal on their own.
Eardoc is a medical device that is non-invasive and can be used for the treatment of middle ear infections which is also called otitis media as well as other indications which will result to ear pain and discomfort. Otitis media can occur at any age but the children are more susceptible to suffer from this infection. The most common symptoms of ear infection are ear pain, discomfort, secretion of fluid, presence of fever and reduced hearing.
There are a lot of treatments available for ear infection such as antibiotics, home remedies, ear tube surgery and many more. Eardoc is capable of clearing up an ear infection and will eliminate pain and discomfort at once without the need for the use of prescribed drugs or surgery. This is placed at the rear part of the ear just above the mastoid bone and then, this will send out tiny vibrations which will drain the fluid that has buildup and will then relaxes the surrounding tissue.