The Truth About Ear Infections
Chronic ear infections, or otitis media, can frustrate a child and their parents. While the child is dealing with the painful inflammation and fluid build-up in the middle ear, many parents find it challenging to decide the best treatment and course of action.
Ear infections are the most common reason parents bring their kids to the doctor. Nearly five of six children will experience at least one ear infection by their 3rd birthday. There are a few reasons kids tend to get ear infections. One is because the small tubes designed to drain the fluid in the ear are smaller and less angled than in adults. Also, a child’s immune system isn’t fully developed, so fighting infections is more challenging.
Congestion in the Eustachian tube between the middle ear and throat can lead to a build-up of fluid and pressure which can cause an ear infection.
Antibiotics should only be prescribed when the ear infection has a bacterial cause.
Researchers have found a correlation between chiropractic adjustments and the resolution of ear infections in children.
The ADHD Generation
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is commonly identified when a child has difficulty paying attention and controlling their behavior. Over the past ten years, the rate of children diagnosed with ADHD increase by 42%. The potential for over-diagnosis has caused a lightning rod of controversy within the medical profession as doctors have begun to speak out about the number of prescriptions filled each year for powerful stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall.
Providing powerful psychoactive medications to children has a significant set of risks without providing a cure. And while the medications can improve the symptoms, they don’t address any of the underlying causes of the disorder. This is why leading healthcare organizations have begun encouraging a more conservative approach to managing ADHD. Adding conservative care, such as behavioral therapy, has been shown to eliminate the use of medications for nearly 40% of kids.
The American Psychological Association has recommended behavioral therapy as a first-line treatment for kids under 5.
Exercise elevates the levels of dopamine and serotonin, which can increase focus and attention.
Reducing sugar intake while increasing protein and high-fiber foods can help stabilize energy levels
Kids and Colic
There’s nothing like the sound of a colicky baby. If you’ve experienced this in the past, I hope that sentence didn’t send a shiver down your spine. Colic is characterized by intense crying and fussiness for three or more hours a day, which conveniently starts just about when you are getting ready to sit down and relax for the night! The symptoms associated with colic typically peak at around six weeks old and disappear by 3-4 months, but the time in between can be one of the most stressful for any parent.
The exact cause of colic is still unknown. The development of the gut, or digestive system, is essential. Also, stimulation to their still-developing nervous system may play a role. While love and patience may be the best “medicine” for colic, researchers have also discovered that chiropractic care may be beneficial. One study found that chiropractic adjustments provided a 2-hour decrease in daily crying time.
Colic is defined by extreme crying or fussiness for more than 3 hours per day.
There is no known cause of colic, but the development of the digestive and nervous systems seems to be a key factor.
Chiropractic care may be beneficial in reducing the symptoms associated with colic.
Why Growing Up Regular is a Good Thing
Constipation is a common issue in many children. It also stinks for parents. No one enjoys luring their child to the potty with a reward hanging in the balance for a well-done job. But, for many families, the frequency of bowel movements with your child can significantly impact your quality of life. Fortunately, most cases of constipation aren’t medical emergencies and can be resolved without medications.
Passing a large, dry stool isn’t fun. And if your child is fearful that they may hurt, they may try various tactics to avoid going. This becomes a vicious cycle that leads to more abdominal pain and constipation. So how do you break the cycle? A combination of high-fiber foods, plenty of fluids, exercise, and even chiropractic care has been shown to improve the regularity of children.
High-Fiber Foods: foods that are high in fiber can help prevent gas and bloating.
Exercise: regular physical activity and exercise can reinforce normal bowel function.
Chiropractic: researchers have children may have an increased frequency of bowel movement after receiving chiropractic adjustments.
Next Steps:
Encouraging your child to take time out from play and regularly use the toilet is an excellent first step towards overcoming issues with constipation. By keeping an eye on their diet, establishing daily routines, and using other forms of natural care (such as chiropractic), your child should be on track to grow up regular!
Science Source:
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Ear Infections in Children. 2017
The Role of the Chiropractic Adjustment in the Care and Treatment of 332 Children with Otitis Media. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics 1997
Twenty-Year Trends in Diagnosed Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among US Children and Adolescents, 1997-2016. Pediatrics. 2018
Time. Growing Up with ADHD. 2018
Colic. Mayo Clinic. 2018
The short-term effect of spinal manipulation in treating infantile colic: a randomized controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer. JMPT 1999
Successful resolution of chronic constipation in pediatric patients with adjustments to sites of vertebral subluxation. Clinical Chiropractic. 2008
Constipation in Children. Mayo Clinic. 2018
