Acute Otis Media...aka...Ear Infections

Chances are, if you have kids, you have had to deal with ear infections or know someone who has. It seems like every day I hear someone talking about their child and his/her second, third, or fourth ear infection. The people I hear talk about them are usually regular visitors to their pediatricians' offices, they've usually given their sweet babies round after round of antibiotics to get rid of this pesky problem, and are fearing the tubes (well, some are. Some don't think tubes are a big deal).

Every time I hear someone say their child has another ear infection and that they are heading to the pediatrician's office, I cringe. I cringe because I know the "solution" is going to be a prescription for antibiotics. I cringe because I know that a study published in the September 13, 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that "watchful waiting" is better than using antibiotics for the treatment of ear infections known as Acute Otitis Media (AOM). The study starts off by noting that AOM is the most common diagnosis for which antibiotics are prescribed to children. I cringe because, as lead researcher, David M. Spiro, MD, commented in a WebMD article, "In this country, 96% to 98% of physicians treat ear infections immediately with antibiotics, even though most cases will resolve on their own without treatment."

Most of us know or have heard about the superbugs that are being created due to our overuse and abuse of antibiotics. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Taking antibiotics when you don't need them actually can be harmful." Most people know, but don't adhere to, the fact that antibiotics are intended for bacterial infections, not viral. However, many are still prescribed antibiotics for viral infections. I got this chart off a Mayo Clinic page:

Bacterial infections cause:	Viral infections cause:
Some ear infections Severe sinus infections Strep throat Urinary tract infections Many wound and skin infections	Most ear infections Colds Influenza (flu) Most coughs Most sore throats Bronchitis Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis)

They go on to say, "Superbugs emerge when an antibiotic fails to kill all of the bacteria it targets, and the surviving bacteria become resistant to that particular drug and frequently other antibiotics as well. Doctors then prescribe a stronger antibiotic, but the bacteria quickly learn to withstand the more potent drug as well, perpetuating a cycle in which increasingly powerful drugs are required to treat infections."

By giving your children antibiotics every time they get an ear infection, you are helping to create superbugs. You are, essentially, ensuring more problems to come as your child grows and ages...all in the name of "helping" your child.

When I hear my friends say their child has another ear infection, I want to tell them about chiropractic and how it can help, but I'm always a little resistant. I don't want anyone to ever think I'm trying to drum up business. I'm not about that at all. I just believe every child should be under wellness care by a wellness-centered chiropractor. It definitely does not have to be our office. I am always excited to refer people to wellness chiropractors located close to where they live.
Research has shown that chiropractic can help in the correction and prevention of AOM. Check out this article I got from chiropracticresearch.org.

I can honestly say, neither of my boys have ever had an ear infection...not one. We keep their spines adjusted because we know the importance of a healthy spine and its connection to overall health. I'll share more about this later. For now, be careful with your treatment of AOM. Try a wellness chiropractor. You'll be glad you did.