Chronic Ear Infection Treatment

A chronic ear infection can cause ongoing symptoms like ear pain, discharge, congested ears, muffled hearing and fatigue. If you can pinpoint the cause of the recurrent infection then treatment is more likely to be effective.
Lets have a look at the most common causes of chronic ear infections:
1) Poor immunity
The resistance of your body to disease can determine how often you pick up infections. Infections in the ears often occur after a respiratory cold or flu, so it is vital that you work on boosting your immunity in order to minimise these conditions. Low immunity can result from a poor diet, stress, smoking, an underlying disease or a genetic weakness.
2) Chronic bacterial infection
If you have low immunity then certain bacteria can cause low grade infections which last for weeks or months. Antibiotics can reduce the population of bacteria temporarily, however if you don't deal with the underlying cause of your low immunity, then the infection can return. Antibiotics can also cause bacterial resistance, which means that they may not be as effective the next time you use them.
3) Chronic viral infection
Some viruses are latent viruses that remain in your body for life and can be re-activated when you are under stress or run down. When the virus recurs, symptoms of painful ears, congestion, swollen lymph glands, fever and fatigue can return.
4) Chronic fungal infection
Recurrent swimmer's ear (an infection of the outer ear) can be caused by a fungi like Candida. Drying the ears well after swimming, using some topical anti-fungal creams like tea tree oil, and taking some anti-fungal herbs can help eradicate the infection from the body. Candida should also be suspected in chronic ear infections that have not responded to antibiotics.
5) Allergy
Recurrent infections can be triggered by allergens. Food allergies, particularly to wheat and dairy are common. Exposure to environmental allergens like dust mite, mold, animal fur and cigarette smoke can also be a cause.
6) Biomechanical obstruction
Structural problems involving the jaw, skull or neck may contribute to chronic infections of the ears. Downs syndrome children or children who have been through birth trauma which affects their head structure are likely candidates for this problem.
7) Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
Enlarged adenoids or tonsils may cause a blockage in the Eustachian tubes. Fluid from the ear cannot flow freely and the congested fluid acts as a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria.
Chronic Ear Infection Treatment
Fortunately through natural treatments like an immune-boosting diet, nutrients, herbs, homeopathics, chiropractic treatment and managing allergens, chronic ear infections can be cured and eliminated.
Author: Elizabeth Noble