Besides the common cold, ear infections are the most frequently diagnosed childhood illness in the United States. Most children will experience at least one ear infection by the time they are three years old.
Causes of Childhood Ear Infections
In order to understand why and how ear infections are so common in children, you must first understand the parts of the ear and how they work. The ear is primarily responsible for hearing and balance, and it is made up of three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. In order for the middle ear to be able to function properly, it must retain the same air pressure as the outside world.
In order to accomplish this, the Eustachian tube comes into play as a small passage that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. This tube works to both equalize the pressure in the middle ear, as well as to drain normal secretions such as mucus from the middle ear into the throat. Whenever something causes the Eustachian tubes to malfunction, such as swelling or inflammation in the nasal passages, then the blockage of the tube will allow fluid to build up in the middle ear. This fluid can then become infected by a virus or bacteria.
Infants and small children have naturally smaller and more horizontal Eustachian tubes, which means that it is easier for them to become clogged and harder for them to drain as they should. This is one of the reasons why children are more susceptible to developing ear infections.
Another reason that infants and children develop ear infections more often than adults is because of the adenoids, which are gland-like structures located at the back of the throat, near the Eustachian tubes. These glands are meant to assist the immune system, which makes them more susceptible to becoming infected or inflamed. Children also have naturally larger and more active adenoids, so this makes it easier for them to interfere with the opening of the Eustachian tubes and cause more blockage.
However, there are other factors that can contribute to children getting ear infections, such as being exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke and bottle-feeding.
Symptoms of Childhood Ear Infection
The pain that is associated with ear infections can range from mild to severe. It is caused by the fluid in the middle ear pushing on the eardrum, which can be very uncomfortable. While older children or adults are able to communicate this pain, infants and smaller children are only able to tug at their ear or simply cry more than usual. For this reason, it is important for parents to pay attention to these small signals.
Also, laying down, chewing, or sucking can also cause more intense pain in the middle ear because of pressure changes, so other symptoms may include eating less or having trouble sleeping. If the pressure from the fluid buildup increases to a certain point, it will rupture the eardrum and fluid will drain from the ear.
Some ear infection symptoms can indicate other medical conditions, but if you notice multiple ones appearing, take your child to the doctor as soon as possible. These include:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Runny nose
- Cough
Treatment for Childhood Ear Infections
Treating middle ear infections will generally not require antibiotics, as they are usually able to clear up on their own within a week or two. However, most doctors will still recommend or prescribe pain relief options, such as over-the-counter pain medications or medicated eardrops.
