According to The Centers for Disease Control website, antibiotics are NOT the recommended treatment for most ear infections in children. Many ear infections in children are due to fluid build up in the middle ear rather than a bacterial infection. Antibiotics are specifically designed to fight bacterial infections and will not provide relief for a child that has discomfort due to fluid in the ear. The continual use of antibiotics in children for ear infections that are not bacterial will only make them resistant to the benefits of these drugs if fighting bacterial infections later on in life. The eustachian tube is situated closely to the Atlas bone (the top bone of the spine) and when the Atlas bone becomes misaligned, it may prevent the eustachian tube from draining fluid properly. A gentle and specific Atlas adjustment can help this fluid in the ear drain and provide relief for the child.
Risk factors for ear infections:
- Children younger than 2 are at higher risk
- Daycare attendance
- Drinking from a bottle while laying down
- Seasonal allergies
Signs of ear infection:
- Excessive crying
- Fever
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability
- Pulling and tugging at ears