Chiropractic Care and Ear Infections

Different ways ear infections can be treated

The most prevalent disorders of the ear are the infection of the middle ear and the infection of the inner ear. In technical terms, these are known as otitis media and labyrinthitis, respectively. Ear infections can be a great nuisance for the young and the aged alike. It is most widely found in little children, as we will further read about below.

There are two types of ear infections, as is with types of pain: acute and chronic ear infections. Acute ear infections cause a lot of pain, but are short-lived and can be treated. Chronic ear infections are long-term. If not treated earlier on, they may cause permanent damage to the ear.

Infections in the ear cause a lot of pain and misery. To make matters worse, they are even harder to diagnose. This is because the inner ear and middle ear are difficult to reach.

The causes of ear infections

Ear infections are the result of the inflammation and swelling inside the Eustachian tubes. The Eustachian tubes are the canal which connects the middle ear to the nasal cavity and the upper throat. This is how the ear, nose, and throat are connected. In healthcare, ENT is one of the most common independent departments that can function together. ENT is short for Ear, Nose, and Throat because these three parts affect each other.

If the Eustachian tubes get inflamed, fluid starts collecting inside the middle ear. If left untreated, this fluid can cause problems in the long-run. This might even cause problems like meningitis. This is the reason why ear infections are very common in young children. Their Eustachian tubes have not yet completely developed. They are more sensitive, making them more prone to infections.

The following are some of the most common reasons that might cause an inflammation inside the Eustachian tubes:

Colds, sinus infections, and allergies: As mentioned earlier, the Eustachian tubes link the ear, the nose, and the throat. Thus a sinus or throat infection might introduce bacteria into the canal. This might cause a blockage.

Barometric changes: Changes in air pressure and wind quality can affect the ear in some ways. The fluid inside the ear helps with the balance of the body, and a sudden change in pressure might throw it off and cause an imbalance.

Throat infections and tonsillitis: Throat infections and mucus buildups can cause for ear infections.

Diagnosing ear infections

Ear infections are particularly difficult to diagnose. They occur in the inner recesses of the skull. The channel to view any physical swelling is very thin. Yet, with the help of an otoscope, a doctor is able to discover whether the pain in the ear is due to an infection or not. If the check-up reveals any of the following, then it is clear that there is an ear infection:

• Swelling of the eardrum, or a collapsed eardrum.
• Liquid coming out of the inner ear.
• Pus-filled fluid or bubbles coming from inside the ear.
• The fluid coming from the ear is then tested in the lab to determine whether it has been caused by a viral contingent, and if so, what can be used to combat it.

If the pain persists and the diagnosis is yet unclear, the doctor might refer the patient to a CT scan of the head. This is to determine exactly how far the fluid has penetrated into the inner ear. Further action is then taken based on the results of the scan.

The treatment of ear infections

Once it has finally been diagnosed, the ear infection can be treated in a myriad of ways. It is seen that ear infections clear up and get better pretty much on their own. They do not need anything other than patience and strength to bear through. Still, there are times when treatment is truly necessary, in order to prevent the condition from causing more pain. Worse, to prevent it from turning into a chronic condition.

Most doctors prescribe antibiotics at the very beginning of the check-up. It is the most common and widely accepted combatant for an ear infection. This is because it is a condition that is most likely caused by a bacterial agent. An antibiotic might aid the natural defense system of the body in order to fight it off. This is not the only possible treatment, of course. As the field of alternative therapy progresses, chiropractic care has shown promise in aiding with the treatment of ear infections.

The link between chiropractic care and infection

Chiropractic care has been recorded for showing promise in the domain of ear infection treatment, especially in the pediatric department. There is still some concern over the results. They remain part of the alternative therapy skepticism, but there are results that show the benefits of chiropractic care in the treatment of ear infections.

Chiropractic therapy is done by adjusting the spinal column, which houses the central nervous system of the body. This system is responsible for how your body perceives your environment. It is inherently linked to your body’s immunization capacities. In chiropractic therapy, the spine is physically moved and the misalignment is removed. This makes the body’s natural defense system function better. This means that the body has more capabilities to fight off the bacterial infection. Small doses or no additional antibiotics are needed.

The promise of chiropractic care in the field

Chiropractic care is one of the leading alternative therapies in the healthcare field. It has shown great promise in the treatment of spine-related injuries. The treatment is carried out by experts and practitioners well-versed in their field. Many leading physiotherapy centers, like Pillars of Wellness in Burlington, offer the best kind of chiropractic care services.