Dr Mikes Blog

Did you know that ear infections are mostly due to allergies. The problem is a blocked Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube is small tube that that runs from the back of the throat to the inner ear and is supposed to equalize air pressure on the ear drum. It also acts as a drain for the inner ear mucus. Atmospheric pressure pushes on the outside of the drum through the ear canal and when we open our mouths the air pressure is supposed totravel up the tube and fill the inner ear and balance it out. If the tube gets clogged for some reason (extra mucus production from allergies for example) the air passage gets blocked,  the inner ear fills with mucus and the ear drum begins to bulge out and become inflammed.  Doctors looked in the ear saw a red ear drum and said “infection”.  Yes sometimes infections are related, especially if you are sick with a cold.  if antibiotics don’t get rid of it (20% success rate) the doctor will cut a large hole in the ear drum and put a tube in it to drain the mucus out the ear canal instead of down the throat. Problem is once you cut something, it will heal over with scar tissue, and on a tympanic membrane this will effect the vibrations of the drum and potentially cause hearing loss.  In children the tube is S shaped until they reach 7 years old and then it starts to straighten out. So kids under 7 are of course more susceptible. If you do get an ear infection and have tried antibiotics with no results, try giving your kid lots and lots of water to dilute the mucus and cut all dairy out of their diet. Dairy products proliferate mucus production in all of our air passage ways (sinuses). And of course some vitamins will help too.  Also a gentle massage behind the ear helps loosen the mucus in the tube.

Dr mike
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