Ear Infections and the Antibiotic Epidemic

Ear infections appear so common that at times they seem almost like a childhood rite of passage. Often associated with redness, swelling, and pain within the ear, they are the number one reason antibiotics are prescribed for children. However, we’re finding more and more that the prolific prescription of antibiotics is not the panacea it was once thought to be. Not only do antibiotics disrupt healthy digestion, but overuse can even lead to resistance. The Results of the Antibiotic Epidemic Multiple studies have demonstrated that antibiotic resistance is on the rise, mainly due to the fact that they have been over-prescribed for the past century without regard to the possible implications in the long term. The good news is this: a study by Cochrane showed that only 1 in 20 children sustained an ear infection that necessitated the use of antibiotics. The other 19 were able to beat the infection naturally without medication. A study augmenting this data used chinchillas, whose ear structure is very similar to humans. The study showed that waiting several days before using antibiotics strengthened the chinchillas’ natural immune response and enabled them to fight the infection more efficiently. It is believed that delaying the use of antibiotics encourages the body’s own immune defense to take action while giving medication immediately trains the body to think that the infection is being taken care of, and thus that it doesn’t need to work as hard to defeat it. Perhaps a ...
Source: Conversations with Dr Greene - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: Dr. Greene's Blog Bambini Furtuna Ear Infection Causes Ear Infection Prevention Ear Infection Treatment Ear Infections Source Type: blogs