Ear infections-1

Ear infections-1

Ear infections Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board Last updated: December 2011 Highlights How can I tell whether my child has an ear infection? How common are ear infections? What causes ear infections? When should I call the doctor? How will the doctor treat my child's ear infection? What can I do to prevent ear infections? My child gets repeated ear infections. Can ear tubes help? Are ear infections ever serious? How can I tell whether my child has an ear infection? Dr. P. Marazzi/Photo Researchers, Inc Pain is the number one symptom. Your child may tell you that his ear hurts. Or, if he can't talk yet but seems cranky or is tugging at his ear, an ear infection is a definite possibility. A recent cold or sinus infection is another clue. This doesn't happen to most children, but it's a sure sign of infection. It also signals that a small hole has developed in the eardrum. As they grow to adulthood, their tubes triple in length and become more vertical, so fluid can drain more easily. When should I call the doctor?Call at the first sign of an ear infection. The doctor will need to take a look in your child's ear with an instrument called an otoscope. If it's not moving, that's one more clue that fluid is collecting in the middle ear and may be infected. 1 2 3 Previous Next Show All
Man has been drinking milk from cows for nearly 7500 years yet the ear infection epidemic has only surfaced over the last several decades. The main difference in people's lifestyles is the lack of exposure to sunlight. Combining factors such as: working parents, dermatologists warning about sunlight exposure, video games, and other indoor activities, a child's exposure to sunlight has never been less. In addition acting as a natural germicide, the sun also stimulates the body to produce Vitamin D and hydrogen peroxide. Evidence shows that children who are exposed to only a few minutes of natural daylight are less prone to getting ear infections. The reason for this may be from the natural daylight that enters the ear canal producing hydrogen peroxide through photo-oxidation of melanin. The ear canal contains the highest concentration of melanin in the human body. Take a little time each day and go outside with your child and expose them to natural sunlight. They will be healthier and happier for it and so will you. If exposure to natural sunlight is not readily available due to weather conditions or busy schedules try using a lighting supplement like UV-Aid. It safe, effective and takes only a few seconds each day.
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