Does your baby often get earaches? (Acute Otitis Media) - Let's be aware of this!

As a mother, you probably know that earaches are a very annoying problem for a young child. Sometimes a baby will cry and rub their ear, but you can't find the cause. Most of the time, the cause is an ear infection. About half of all children will develop this condition at least once before they are two years old. So today, let's talk about this ear infection, which doctors call Acute Otitis Media .

Why do ear infections occur?

Simply put, behind our eardrum there is a small space called the 'middle ear'. There are small pieces of bone here that help us hear. This space needs to be constantly ventilated. That means air coming through the nose and throat needs to enter it. This air enters through a small tube that connects the ear, nose, and throat. We call this the Eustachian tube . Imagine, what happens if this tube gets blocked for some reason? Then air doesn't get in. The middle ear becomes moist and warm, creating an environment that is ideal for germs to grow. This Eustachian tube in babies and children is very soft and wide, and it is located horizontally . Not vertically like in adults. Therefore, things like mucus are more likely to pass through this tube and accumulate in the middle ear, and the tube can also become blocked easily. Allergies, runny nose, sinus infections, colds , and tonsil problems can block the passage of air through this tube, causing infections. If a doctor examines your baby's ear and sees that the eardrum is red and swollen, they will diagnose an ear infection.

What are the symptoms of this?

Your child may show these symptoms. If they have one or more of these, it's best to see a doctor.

Types of ear infections and risk factors

Usually, we call an infection that occurs once and gets better Acute Otitis Media . However, some children get it again and again. If it happens three times within 6 months or four times within a year, it is called Recurrent Acute Otitis Media . Sometimes, there may be no signs of infection, and the middle ear may simply fill with fluid. This is called Otitis Media with Effusion . There are several factors that increase the risk of ear infections recurring.

How is it treated? Are there any complications?

The good news is that about half of all ear infections get better on their own without any medication. But most children will need to take an antibiotic , such as amoxicillin , for about 10 days. Sometimes fluid in the middle ear can remain, blocking the eardrum and causing temporary hearing loss.This is not dangerous, but if the hearing loss continues during the child's speech development, it can affect it. So if you have any doubts about this, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Ear Tubes - Are They Really Necessary?

You may have heard of ear tubes being inserted in children who have recurrent ear infections and hearing loss. This is done through a small surgery called a myringotomy . This involves making a small hole in the eardrum and inserting a small tube into the middle ear to allow air to flow through. But new research has shown that this surgery is not always necessary. Delaying the surgery for about 9 months does not significantly affect a child's language skills. So if your doctor recommends this type of surgery, you can get a second opinion from another specialist if you want to.

How to prevent ear infections?

Prevention is always better than cure. So here are some things you can do:

• Keep the environment clean: Keep your child as far away from household dust, cleaning products containing harsh chemicals , and especially cigarette smoke as possible.
• Manage allergies : If your child has allergies, talk to the doctor about how to manage them.
• Get your child vaccinated on time: Get your child's vaccines on time, especially the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the flu vaccine. These protect against some bacteria that can cause ear infections.
• Practice hand washing: Make it a habit for everyone in the house, especially children, to wash their hands frequently.
• Breastfeed: If possible, breastfeed for at least 6 months. Breastfed babies are about 70% less likely to develop ear infections.
• How to bottle feed : When feeding from a bottle, keep your baby's head higher than their stomach. Feeding while lying down can help the milk flow into the Eustachian tube.
• Avoid smoking: If you have a child in your home, it is best to stop smoking completely.

What to do if your baby suddenly has an earache?

No matter how careful you are, sometimes children get sick. Try these things to comfort them:

• Don't feed while lying down: Feeding your baby while lying down can increase ear pressure and pain.
• Give a pain reliever: You can give acetaminophen syrup to reduce pain. But never give aspirin to young children. When giving medication, follow the instructions on the package exactly and give the correct dose for the child's weight. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
• Putting other things in the ear: Some people put things like garlic oil in their ears as a natural treatment. But never put anything in your baby's ear without first consulting a doctor. These things can cause serious damage if the eardrum is already delicately damaged.

Ear Infections, Acute Otitis Media, Pediatrics, Earache, Eustachian tube, Antibiotics, Child Health