Considering Alternative Treatments For Ear Infection

By Jan Howard

Ear infections, their causes, cures, and prevention were the topic of a program October 29 sponsored by the Parish Nurse Ministry of St Rose of Lima Church.

Dr Brad Weinstein, a local chiropractor, discussed research and theories about the cause of ear infections and the options of cures, such as antibiotics, tubes, and time. He discussed the anatomy and physiology of the illness and the role that chiropractic can play in it.

He discussed what he termed the “cycle of antibiotics” prescribed for children who have recurrent ear infections.

Dr Weinstein urged those in attendance to choose “health by choice, not chance.” He said that parents whose children had been on antibiotics or had tubes placed in their ears should look for information on alternative solutions to recurrent ear infections.

“See all sides to it, and know what you’re doing,” he said. “You’re not alone.”

The tendency for ear infections is not hereditary, he said.

Earaches are the “top gun” of emergency room visits, Dr Weinstein said. “The most frequent diagnosis for 1993 was earache (otis media).”

Ear infections are on the rise, and are the most common reason for pediatric visits, he said. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for treatment.

“Are we overmedicating our children?” he asked. “Many ear infections are now resisting antibiotics.”

In 1927, when penicillin was discovered, he said the premise was to wipe out disease. It was the theory then that germs caused disease rather than a breakdown in the function of the body.

Dr Weinstein said the World Health Organization has pointed out that drug resistance could make once curable diseases stronger and less resistant to antibiotics.

He said about 88,000 Americans will die of infections they catch in hospitals, and many of these infections are resistant to at least one antibiotic.

Reactions to drugs are the number three killer in society, behind cancer and heart attacks and stroke, he said.

Dr Weinstein said that the use of amoxicillin in the treatment of ear infection is being debated by some in the medical profession. He noted it is not believed to be effective in the treatment of persistent middle ear infections in infants and children.

“With a viral infection, antibiotics won’t help,” he said, noting, “It has to be determined if the problem is caused by a bacteria or fluid backing up in the ear because of an obstruction in the eustachian tube.” The obstruction keeps the body from draining the fluid off naturally.

“Give the body a chance to heal, and it will drain,” he said.

Dr Weinstein believes in “giving nature a chance by providing less aggressive treatment. The condition often clears up by itself.

“If you disturb the balance of the body, its immunity is decreased,” he said. “Resistance is lower. The immune system can’t fight off the infection. Pediatricians are torn over the proper use of antibiotics.”

Dr Weinstein said ear infections are often a complication of other childhood complaints, such as a cold, sinusitis, and sore throat. “By age two, 33 percent of children have had three or more episodes.” Most ear infections occur between the ages of three months and three years.

He suggested that parents consider chiropractic care as one option in treatment of ear infections.

“We’re nervous system doctors,” he said. “You need to keep the spine aligned.” He said when the vertebrae in the spine are misaligned, proper information is not being relayed to other parts of the body.

Proper alignment of the spine, proper diet, and rest are necessary for good health, he said.

He again stressed the need to make health care decisions for a child based on information.

Cases of ear infection are multiplying, he noted. “Normal treatment is not working.”