Complementary and alternative medicine for pediatric otitis media

Conclusions: Management of acute otitis media begins with watchful waiting. Herbal eardrops may help relieve symptoms. Homeopathic treatments may help decrease pain and lead to faster resolution. Prevention should be emphasized with elimination of risk factors, such as second hand smoke and bottle-feeding, as well as maintaining nutrition and vaccinations. Vitamin supplementation may be helpful. Probiotics and xylitol may be beneficial as well. Traditional Chinese/Japanese therapies show promising results but remain speculative until further research is conducted. Severe cases of otitis media with complications or those that fail to improve with observation or CAM (after 48–72h) should be treated with antibiotics and, in some cases, surgical intervention. It is best to consult a physician when making treatment decisions for full guidance on the risks and benefits of any treatment option.
Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Tags: Research papers Source Type: research