According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), five out of six children will have at least one ear infection before their third birthday.
Unfortunately, ear infections are a common occurrence. If you were to ask almost anyone, they would more than likely tell you that they have had an ear infection at least once in their life.
While chronic ear infections may be common in children, that shouldn’t mean they have to suffer through them. Today, your McAllen sinus relief specialists at the Glatz Group of Valley ENT will tell you all there is to know about treating your child’s chronic ear infections.
What Causes an Ear Infection?
An ear infection happens when there is a buildup of fluid behind the middle ear. When the Eustachian tube does not drain properly, it produces bacteria and inflammation that results in the ear infection.
Why Is It Common in Children?
Ear infections can happen to adults and children, however, they more frequently afflict children. One reason being that children are smaller and so are their Eustachian tubes. The Eustachian tube is responsible for draining fluid out of the inner ear. When they get swollen, it makes it very difficult for fluid to drain, therefore causing a buildup and an infection.
Another reason that children are more susceptible to ear infections is because of their developing immune systems. Due to the fact that their immune systems are not as strong as an adult’s, it is harder for them to fight off an infection each time.
Signs of a Chronic Ear Infection
While signs may vary from child to child, some common symptoms include:
- Pain in the ear
- Pulling at the ear
- Trouble hearing
- Loss of balance
- A feeling of pressure
- Fluid draining from ears
- Trouble sleeping
- A recent head cold
- Outer ear is red
Treatment
If the ear infections keep coming back, your ENT may give you antibiotics and wait a couple of months to see if the infection clears up. If that does not help, the next step would be putting in tubes to assist with the drainage of fluid. Once the tubes are in, your child will have several follow-up visits until the tubes eventually fall out on their own.
Once all of that is done, and if the ear infections keep occurring, the next step would be a surgical procedure to remove the adenoids. The adenoids are two pieces of tissue located near the Eustachian tubes. When this tissue gets swollen, it can block the passageway of fluid through the tubes.
What Happens if Chronic Ear Infections are Left Untreated?
If your child’s chronic ear infections go untreated, it could start affecting them in other ways. Every situation and child is different, but possible damage could include:
- Delayed speech/language
- Difficulty in future learning
- Reading issues
- Spread of the infection
- Ruptured eardrum
- Enlarged tonsils
What to Do if You Suspect Your Child Has Chronic Ear Infections
If your child is exhibiting any of the signs or symptoms listed above, reach out to your local ENT to get an examination or to rule out any other possible infections.
If you notice that the ear infections are happening more frequently or the infections are not going away, your sinus doctor will take the necessary steps to treat your child and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Don’t Let Ear Infections Become a Chronic Problem in Your Household—Visit the Glatz Group of Valley ENT today!
Watching your child cope with an ear infection is already difficult enough without it becoming a chronic issue. Your sinus relief specialists in McAllen, TX, are here to help and put any worries you may have at ease.