How can I protect my child from ear infections?
The structure of the middle ear. Infections are often very painful due to inflammation and build-up of fluids inside it. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
There are many different sounds around us. The ears are responsible for collecting and processing these sounds and then sending those sounds’ signals to the brain.
Our ears also help us maintain balance, such that when we bend to pick up something, we do not fall.
The ear is made up of three distinct parts, namely the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer part of the ear is the visible part. Its main responsibility is to collect sounds such as the ringing of a bell or noise being made by people around us.
The outer part also has the ear canal, where ear wax is produced. Ear wax is a substance that protects the canal. It contains chemicals that fight infections that can harm the skin in the ear canal.
Ear wax is also responsible for collecting dirt to help maintain the cleanliness of the ear canal. Therefore, though earwax is unpleasant, it is also very useful.
After the sound waves have entered the outer ear, they pass through the ear canal and travel to the middle ear. The main function of the middle ear is to receive the sound waves and change them into vibrations that are sent to the inner ear.
In order to carry out this function, it is necessary to have the eardrum. The eardrum divides the outer ear from the middle ear and the ossicles. The ossicles are the three smallest and most delicate bones in the body.
After the sound waves reach the eardrum, they make it vibrate. The vibration in the eardrum causes the ossicles to move. The ossicles help the sound travel along on its journey to the inner ear.
Nerve signals begin in the inner ear. Sound enters the inner ear in the form of vibrations and then enters the cochlea. The cochlea is a small, curled tube inside the inner ear. It is filled with fluid, which is set in motion as a wave when the ossicles vibrate.
In addition, the cochlea is also lined with microscopic cells that are covered with tiny hairs. After sound reaches the cochlea, the vibrations make the hairs on the cells move, thus creating nerve signals that the brain recognises as sound. The brain puts it together; hence you are able to hear, for instance, the crying of a baby.
Ears not only help you hear but also keep you balanced too. Inside the inner ear, there are three small loops located above the cochlea known as semi-circular canals. Just like the cochlea, these semi-circular canals are filled with fluid and contain thousands of microscopic hairs.
When you move your head, the fluid in these semi-circular canals also moves. The fluid moves the microscopic hairs, which immediately send a nerve message to the brain regarding the position of the head. In less than a second, the brain delivers messages to the right muscles so that a person can keep his or her balance.
At times the fluid in the semi-circular canals keeps moving even after you have stopped moving. This is because the hairs in the canals continue sensing movement even though you are still.
This is why you might feel dizzy since the brain is receiving two different messages and thus it becomes confused about the position of your head. As soon as the fluid in the canals stops moving, the brain receives the correct message, and you regain your balance.
Just as the ears take care of you, so is it your responsibility to care of them. Protect your ears from loud sounds by wearing earplugs and do not poke around them.
Ear infections are the second most commonly diagnosed illnesses in children after the common cold in most outpatient centres.
These infections are often very painful due to inflammation and build-up of fluids inside the middle ear. Inflammation of the middle ear is known as otitis media, while that of the external ear is known as otitis externa, or swimmer’s ear.
If a middle ear infection lasts more than six weeks, it is known as chronic otitis media; if less than six weeks, it is called acute otitis media.
Dear Doc,
What are the telltale signs a parent can use to determine whether or not their child has an ear infection?
Wilson.
Dear Wilson,
The major warning sign of an ear infection is a sharp pain in the ear. The child can be particularly uncomfortable when lying down, making sleeping quite difficult.
In babies, as well as children who are too young to explain where it hurts, ear infections can be tricky. Often, the child will start pulling on the affected ear.
Little children can also just get irritable and might not eat well. Babies might even push the breast or feeding bottle away because the pressure in the ears makes swallowing painful.
Other symptoms that a parent should look out for include fever, trouble hearing, dizziness, a stuffy nose and fluid oozing from the ears.
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Dear Doc,
I am a mother, and each of my three kids has had an ear infection at some point. Is there a reason why children are more susceptible to ear infections?
Concerned Mom
Dear Concerned Mom,
Children are more susceptible to middle ear infections, especially between the ages of two and five, because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal than those of adults.
These tubes are also narrow and less stiff, and thus more likely to get blocked. Children also have adenoid tissue (commonly referred to simply as adenoids) at the back of the nose near the Eustachian tube openings, which can interfere with its function.
Bottle-feeding and day care attendance also leads to increased chances of getting ear infections. Many ear infections follow upper respiratory tract infections.
Some of the symptoms experienced when one has an ear infection are ear pain, irritability and crying a lot in younger children. Lying down and chewing may be more painful and a child might eat less.
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Dear Doc,
Can ear infection cause loss of hearing?
James
Dear James,
In some infections, fluid might build up in the middle ear and cause the eardrum to rupture, draining fluid from the ear. These infections can sometimes persist and lead to permanent eardrum damage.
The child might also have difficulty hearing and fail to respond to communication. Other symptoms include fever, vomiting and dizziness.
An ear infection can be successfully treated, but in rare cases fluid may persist in the middle ear, resulting in delayed speech development if a child is in the language development stage.
If this happens, the child might need to have the ear drained using tubes to balance the pressure. This can be diagnosed using a middle ear pressure test and other hearing tests.
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Dear Doc,
Can ear infections in children be prevented and how?
Grace
Dear Grace,
You cannot completely prevent your child from developing ear infections, but you can lower the risk substantially.
Breastfeed the baby exclusively for at least six months as recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO), and thereafter, up to two years alongside solid foods. Breast milk has vital antibodies that can protect your child from ear and many other infections.
You can also keep the child away from second-hand cigarette smoke and ensure that the home environment is smoke-free. Protect children from getting illnesses such as the common cold as this can result in ear infections.
This can be done through teaching children basic hygiene such as washing their hands thoroughly and avoiding sharing utensils, especially when they sick.
If a child is sick, keep him or her away from school to avoid spreading the disease to other children. You should also ensure that your child has all the necessary childhood immunisations.
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Dear doc,
Must my child undergo surgery if he/she has otitis media?
Parent
Dear Parent,
Some cases of otitis media require surgery, but this should only be recommended by an ENT surgeon. The most common surgery involves placing small tubes in the ear.
This procedure is known myringotomy. It is usually recommended when fluids that result from an infection remain in the ear for many months after treatment.
When that happens, the fluid can cause problems with speech and lead to hearing loss. The tube helps relieve the pressure in the clogged ear, enabling the child to hear well again.
With the tubes in the ear, fluid cannot form inside the ear since the tube allows in fresh air. The tubes normally fall out on their own after some months and only rarely will one need surgery more than once.
These questions have been answered and compiled by Dr. Torooti Mwirigi and the panel of DN2 Health Professionals. Have a question about your health? Please send it to [email protected]
