Over 50% of all infants experience an ear infection before the age of 1 and 75% by age 5!
In addition to the pain and irritation for your child, this childhood condition also means hours of lost sleep for you, the parent.
Also known as Otitis Media (OM), an ear infection is a condition of the middle ear. Here are some quick facts that may be helpful:
- A very high percentage of OM cases are caused by a virus, which means antibiotics would be of no benefit and can even cause harm to the immune system.
- Most cases will resolve on their own over time…”on their own” means the body’s immune system will take over and resolve the infection.
- Even the most conservative medical organizations recommend a “wait and see” attitude with the majority of OM cases.
This can be difficult for a parent to watch their child appear to be suffering, crying, and feeling uncomfortable, but the short-term trade off is exchanged for a stronger immune system and a healthier body long term.
Intervening when it’s not necessary can have future implications for your child’s developing immune system and it’s ability to function optimally later in life.
What Can You Do Now?
Absolutely anything to support the development of a healthy immune system is going to be protective today and down the road.
- Get adequate Omega 3 Fats. Try a pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement to boost your child’s levels. We love Bonfire Premium Fish Oil because it tastes great (it actually does) and exceeds our standards for quality.
- Get your child moving! A vigorous fitness program is a major immune system booster.
- Remove inflammatory foods like processed foods and cereal grains.
- Correct any identified Neuro-Structural Problems. Shifting of the spine creates distortion that increases the amount of energy the brain requires to manage the body’s core structure. This causes a decrease in available resources to run the immune system (and other systems) in the body, leaving children vulnerable to outside factors.
The bottom line is no matter what condition your child has or doesn’t have (yet), getting healthier and finding ways to build a better health foundation is always a good starting point.
What steps have you been taking to boost your child’s immunity?
Dr. Michael Gibson has committed himself to helping others to live the best life possible. After graduating with a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario, he received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree and Masters of Science in Chiropractic Sports Science from Life University. He is the co-creator of Life By Design, owner of The Wellness Group, and co-owner of CrossFit 613. His passion for empowering families runs deep. After experiencing the loss of his sister due to illness, Michael’s purpose became reaching and teaching as many as possible the foundational principles of an extraordinary life. Since that time he has passionately pursued and been successful in living out his dream. He maintains a busy family chiropractic practice, a full speaking schedule and finds time to implement the principles and practices of Life By Design in his own life.
