Otitis (inflammation of the ear) media (middle) is the medical term used to describe middle ear infections.

Ear infections are one of the most common illnesses experienced by people during early childhood. In fact, the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders reports 75% of children have experienced least one ear infection by age 3.

While they can very painful, most cases of ear infections clear up on their own and most children stop experiencing them around age 5 or 6.

Typical signs and symptoms that a child may have an ear infection include:

- Tugging or pulling at the ears

- Excessive Crying

- Disturbed Sleeping

- Failure to respond to sounds

- Unusual Irritability

- Fever

- Fluid draining from the ears

- Headaches

Ear infections typically develop from a viral infection which causes the middle ear to become inflamed. Fluid then builds up behind the eardrum.

Ear infections also can be the result of a dysfunction or swelling within the eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the nose. In a child’s ear, these tubes are narrower and shorter than those of an adult which makes it easier for fluid to become trapped within them.

Swelling of the adenoids is another factor that may contribute to ear infections. The adenoids are tissues located in the upper throat near the eustachian tubes that contain cells that normally fight infection called lymphocytes. Sometimes however, the adenoids themselves get infected or enlarged, causing a blockage in the eustachian tubes. Infection in the adenoids can also spread to the eustachian tubes.

In most cases, ear infections clear independently with no complications. However, long-lasting or recurrent infections can lead to:

- Short-term hearing loss

- Long-term hearing loss

- Ruptured eardrum

- Mastoiditis (which affects the mastoid bone of the skull)

Some preventative steps that parents can take to avoid earaches in children include:

- Avoiding smoking

- Breast Feeding (if possible)

- Washing Hands Regularly

- Avoiding Pacifier Use

- Never have the baby take a bottle while laying flat in a crib.

Some supplements that can help greatly in treating an ear infection include:

Carotenoid Complex (20,000 IU daily) - Aids in controlling the infection.

Garlic (take as directed on label) - Holds antibacterial/antiviral properties as well as natural pain-relieving qualities.

Colloidal Silver (take as directed on label) - Natural antibiotic. Can be taken orally or as an earwash.

Manganese (10 mg daily separately from calcium) - Restores deficiencies that have been linked to ear disorders.

Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids (3,000 - 7,000 mg daily in divided doses) - Boosts immunity and fights infection.

Zinc (10 mg in lozenge form for 5 days)- Aids in reducing infection.

Evening Primrose Oil (1,000 mg daily) - Reduces infection and inflammation.

Vitamin B Complex (50 mg of each major B vitamin 3 times daily) - Essential for healing and immune function.

Vitamin E (start with 200 IU daily & increase every week until you reach 800 IU daily) - Enhances immune function.

Echinacea and Goldenseal (take as directed on label) - These herbs enhance immune function and can stop an ear infection if caught early.

Olive Leaf Extract (take as directed on label) - Aids the body in fighting infection.

Please note that the dosages recommended above are for adults only.