Watchful Waiting and Treatment of Symptoms
In uncomplicated cases the best course of action is to relieve pain with
medicated ear-drops and (with proper medical supervision)
allow the child's immune system to do its job.
Ear tubes (myringotomy, tympanotomy tubes)
The primary cause of pain in acute otitis media is pressure behind the eardrum.
Myringotomy and tympanotomy tubes relieve this pressure and allow drainage.
Strengthen the Immune System
Homeopathy
Homeopathy
has been reported to reduce the frequency of reoccurrence of acute otitis
media as compared to antibiotic treatment [
Friese1997].
This study lacked a watchful waiting control group, so it is not possible to
comment on whether homeopathy out-performed antibiotics because
of the effectiveness of homeopathy or because of the counterproductiveness
of the antibiotics.
Antibiotics for Treatment of Otitis Media
While antibiotics may give a quick resolution of acute symptoms of
bacterial otitis media, in the long run their use may be counterproductive,
and predispose the child to developing chronic otitis media.
Antibiotics are not useful in treating viral infections, colds, and flues,
although they are sometimes applicable as a prophylactic measure in
compromised patients where there is a risk of secondary infection.
In one study [vanBuchem1981],
three different interventions for treating acute otitis media were compared:
- Antibiotics
- Ear tubes (myringotomy, tympanotomy tubes)
- Control group
The outcomes of the three treatment groups were similar [
Shaw2008].
Another study found that the rate of reoccurrence of Otitis Media was
higher in the treatment group receiving amoxicillin than in the control
group [Cantekin1991].
Although a causal relationship has not been definitively established,
increased use of oral antibiotics to treat Otitis Media is associated with
increased incidence of autism,
attention deficit disorder (ADD),
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
and childhood seizures [Shaw2008].
If antibiotics must be used, consider an injectable form such as Rocephin
or penicillin rather than oral forms, in order to minimize disruption of
beneficial bacteria in the gut.
If oral antibiotics must be used, consider adding antifungals such as
nystatin in order to control overgrowth of yeast in the gut due to disruption
or beneficial bacteria in the gut. Various naturopathic antifungals may
also be prescribed. Also re-inoculate with beneficial bacteria (probiotics)
during and after oral antibiotic treatment.
