Otitis media, more commonly known as an ear infection, is a condition that affects your middle ear, which is the space behind your eardrum. Normally, this space is filled with air and is partially responsible for both your hearing and your balance. Whenever fluid becomes clogged inside your middle ear, the symptoms of an ear infection begin to develop.
Fluid can begin to build up in the middle ear for a number of reasons. But it usually has to do with the Eustachian tubes, which are narrow passageways that connect your middle ear to the back of your throat behind your nose. The role of these tubes is to drain any normal secretions from the middle ear, as well as to maintain the air pressure in the middle ear. Any sort of upper respiratory infection such as the common cold, the flu, or allergies can cause your Eustachian tubes to become swollen or inflamed, which will decrease their effectiveness at doing their job correctly. This is what will typically cause a middle ear infection to develop.
Risk Factors
There are some factors that can put you at a higher risk for ear infections than others. These include:
- Age: Young children between the ages of six months and two years old are significantly more susceptible to developing ear infections than adults and older children. This is because their immune systems are not yet fully developed, making it easier for them to get upper respiratory infections.
- Infant feeding: Because of the location of the Eustachian tubes, infants who drink from a bottle, especially while lying down, tend to be affected by ear infections more often than babies who are breast-fed.
- Poor air quality: Exposure to high levels of air pollution can increase the risk of an ear infection because it makes you more likely to develop other respiratory infections that can potentially lead to ear infections.
- Seasonal factors: Ear infections are most common during the colder months because the cold and flu are more prevalent during this time. If you have seasonal allergies, this will also put you at a higher risk for developing ear infections during times when the pollen count is high.
- Group child care: Children who are cared for in a group setting are exposed to more infections on a regular basis, which makes them more likely to develop colds and subsequent ear infections than children who stay at home.
- Cigarette smoke: Smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke can also increase your risk for developing ear infections.
Prevention
Many times, ear infections are something that is difficult to prevent. However, there are some things you can do to lower you and your child’s risk for developing ear infections. These include:
- Preventing common colds and other illnesses by teaching your children to wash their hands frequently and not to share eating and drinking utensils with other children.
- Avoiding second-hand smoke as much as possible both at home and in other outside environments.
- Breast-feeding your baby instead of bottle feeding them for at least six months. Breast milk contains natural antibodies that offer protection from infections and boost your baby’s immune system.
