I have recently encountered a rash of youngsters whom have been treated repeatedly, 5-7 times in the FIRST YEAR of life for recurrent (persistent??) "ear infections". YES they need antibiotics for the fever and presumed bacterial infection BUT why do they not get beyond this?
Consider the following 2009 information:
Gastric pepsin in middle ear fluid of children with otitis media: clinical implications.
He Z, O'Reilly RC, Mehta D.
Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19899, USA.
"Gastroesophageal reflux and extraesophageal reflux have been postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of otitis media. This is supported by recent studies revealing the presence of gastric pepsin in the middle ear space of children with otitis media but not in control patients without otitis media. Reflux's role in otitis media appears to be most pronounced in younger children and those with purulent effusions."
My take on this is that over 80% of the children with these ongoing problems likely have GERD, the unwanted reflux of gastric contents. This results in an environment favorable for bacterial colonization and growth with resultant infections. If the cause is GERD then sucessful treatment for GERD should result in dramatic reduction in the manifestations of ill health. Often sleep and mood improve concurrent with the absence of ear pain (otalgia[ear ache] is COMMONLY caused by gastric reflux).
Consider the following 2009 information:
Gastric pepsin in middle ear fluid of children with otitis media: clinical implications.
He Z, O'Reilly RC, Mehta D.
Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19899, USA.
"Gastroesophageal reflux and extraesophageal reflux have been postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of otitis media. This is supported by recent studies revealing the presence of gastric pepsin in the middle ear space of children with otitis media but not in control patients without otitis media. Reflux's role in otitis media appears to be most pronounced in younger children and those with purulent effusions."
My take on this is that over 80% of the children with these ongoing problems likely have GERD, the unwanted reflux of gastric contents. This results in an environment favorable for bacterial colonization and growth with resultant infections. If the cause is GERD then sucessful treatment for GERD should result in dramatic reduction in the manifestations of ill health. Often sleep and mood improve concurrent with the absence of ear pain (otalgia[ear ache] is COMMONLY caused by gastric reflux).