Recurrent ear infections

by Dr. Samantha Gray

Recurrent ear infections in young children can be a very distressing experience for both children and parents alike. The potential distress and discomfort experienced by the child is matched by the great concern and exasperation experienced by the parents.

Identifying the cause

The naturopathic approach to any illness is to first identity the cause of disease and then begin treatment of that cause. If the outward symptoms alone are treated and the underlying cause neglected, the symptoms will temporarily go away only to reappear again at a later time. This is likened to trying to get rid of a weed in the garden. If only the leaves of a weed are pulled out but the roots are left in the ground, the plant will quickly regrow. If, instead, the whole weed is taken out, roots and all, that weed will not regrow.

All middle-ear infections have the same basic causative factor: fluid accumulating and getting trapped in the normally air-filled space of the eustacian tube. Fluid gathers in this space because something is there that shouldn't be. The fluid is an attempt to flush out foreign matter.

A most common reason for this fluid accumulation is a virus. In response to the presence of an infectious agent, the body begins to produce copious amounts of mucous. What we call a cold, is the body's immune system at work and is, in fact, a very effective way of eliminating pathogens evidenced by the fact that most colds and ear infections resolve on their own. If all goes well, the mucous is formed, the pathogens effectively drowned out, the fluid drains back out of the eustacian tube and the symptoms are resolved. However, if this fluid is not drained promptly, the trapped fluid becomes infected with bacteria which is thicker and more pus-like and a middle-ear infection results.

Another recognized cause of an ear infection is an allergy due to either environmental or food allergies. In this situation, fluid is built-up in the eustacian tube but this time due to mucous associated with allergies. This is also the immune system at work trying to eliminate allergens. Again if this fluid is trapped for any length of time, it too becomes infected with bacteria leading to a middle ear infection.

Treating the ear infection

If these underlying causes of fluid accumulation in the ear are frequent, persistent or unresolved, then potentially, the ear infections themselves will be of the same nature. For that reason, we focus on treating the underlying cause, we eliminate the cause of the repeatedly accumulating fluid in the eustacian tube.

In the case of a child with a cold. If she gets sick frequently and every time she gets sick she gets an ear infection, then the cause is a depleted immune system. We support her immune function and the reason for the depleted immune system in the first place.

In the case of a child with allergies, does she also have tummy upset with loose stool, eczema, scratchy throat or night wakings? In this instance, allergies are creating an imbalance in the whole system. So we treat the cause, we treat the allergies (often hidden food allergies) and more than just the ear infections are resolved.

In both cases, we relieve persistent or recurrent irritation to the mucous membranes caused by either pathogens or allergens allowing fluid to be promptly drained from the tubes. In this manner, the underlying cause of the recurrent ear infections is treated and the condition resolved.

Dr. Samantha Gray is a mother of two, naturopathic doctor, registered acupuncturist and co-founder of Sage Clinic in Yaletown. She specializes in the treatment of women's health concerns associated with the unique phases of women's lives, including menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Dr. Gray also unites her personal experience of motherhood with her medical training in the healthcare of children. She is currently accepting new patients.

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