Toddler with Middle Ear Fluid in Both Ears

google Serrapeptase that will help her but not if she has a bleeding problem don't use it..it is a blood thinner..but it goes after fluid in lungs..ears...etc..

Hi Estela,

This is going to sound crazy, but hear me out...

My youngest had the same problem and the ENT wanted to put tubes in his ears. Instead, we found a chiropractor who did an "endonasal." The chiropractor would "tip" the ear tube by poking it with her finger in the back of the mouth which would cause all the fluid to drain down the back of the throat. It feels like someone is gagging you and the fluid is the vilest tasting stuff but it worked like a charm. In fact, it worked so well, that my son's pediatrician starting recommending them to all her young patients with chronic ear infections.

(BTW, I know all this because I had the same problem, as an adult, and my son and I would get "endonasals" together!)

Good luck!

Your daughter could have a dairy allergy. My son had several ear infections as well and numerous rounds of antibiotics. It turn out to be a dairy allergy.Remove all diary from her diet and see what happens. You can replace dairy with almond milk. They carry it at wholefoods and Trader Joe's.
D. Merlin
Mother/author
www.victoryoveradhd.com

There are some massage methods you can use to release fluid from the ear. Can you find a chiropractor in the area who is experienced with ear problems in children? This will probably be your best bet.

If you do decide to get tubes, it's a really easy procedure. We had to get tubes for our little one. She had 8 ear infections by the time she was 8 months old and the antibiotics were starting to fail. Scary. She was in a lot of pain. We got the tubes put in when she was 8.5 months old, and I'm really glad we did. The surgery itself took about 15 minutes and later that day she was up and playing again like normal! Now when she gets ear infections (and she still gets them), we can use a local antibiotic (ear drops) instead of those broad-spectrum systemic antibiotics that screwed up her whole system. It has also taken the pain away because it allows the pressure to release. As an added bonus, her ears don't get pressurized when she flies on an airplane!

Anyway, definitely check out chiropractic for releasing the fluid from the ears, but if you guys do go the tubes route, it's not the end of the world.

Good luck and I hope she feels better soon!

I've heard of and gone through various experiences with chronic ear infections. Whatever you decide to do, do something! You don't want to risk any hearing loss.
Some friends of mine have a son who had ear tubes put in. They just raved about how much healthier their son was almost immediately after the surgery, how their son immediately slept through the night, and how he immediately started talking!
The teacher of my child observation class has a 9 year old daughter who had chronic ear infections. She was afraid of surgery and chose not to do the tubes. She regrets her decision because her daughter has permanent hearing loss.
My neighbor is a pediatric speech therapist and sees lots of kids with speech delays due to hearing loss from chronic ear infections. She was ultra concerned about my son having hearing loss and speech delay.
Another friend's now 3 year old son had chronic ear infections and was told to do the ear tubes. She chose to see a nutritionist and her son's ear infections went away with a change in diet. She's very happy.
Since August 2008, my now 18 month old son has suffered from constant ear infections, runny nose and congestion. My son had been on so many courses of antiobiotics (Amoxicillin/Augmentin, Rosefen, Omnicef, Augmentin ES) that he would actually fuss if he didn't get his medicine everyday (I'd give him yogurt)! In late November my pedi recommended we see a pedi ENT who recommended ear tubes. My husband and I were hesitant to put my son under general anesthesia and a (minor) surgical procedure. We took our son out of daycare for a month to see if he'd get healthier. Well, his colds cleared up, but he still had fluid in his ears. At the same time, I had a visit from my friends whose son had had ear tubes. We went ahead with the ear tube surgery on March 3rd. The ENT was pleased with how well the surgical procedure went (took 15-20 minutes from the time they carted him away until he was in recovery) and said he was glad we did the procedure because my son's ears were showing signs of granulomatous infection (that means a chronic bad infection that can damage the surrounding tissue). Needless to say, my son got through the whole experience waaaay better than his parents did. Who knows if his hearing is any better, as he responds to me as much as pre-tubes (meaning if he wants!)
Although ear tubes aren't supposed to cure his colds, his runny nose did clear up almost instantly until he had a run-in with another sick runny-nosed kid. So my son did end up with another ear infection requiring antibiotic ear drops.
A little backwards, but we are going to see a chiropractic nutritionist on this Saturday as well. If there's some change I could make to keep him healthy, then I am receptive. But, I suspect she'll say he's allergic to something like dairy or gluten as those are the most offensive allergens. Since he's healthy now and already has the tubes in to clear away any drainage, I'm not sure I would be willing to make any drastic changes in his lifestyle (and he loves his grilled cheese and ice cream!).
If you decide to go with some naturopathic or homeopathic cure and it works, then that's totally awesome. If you do decide to get the ear tubes, then just know that the procedure is quite routine and that it does help lots of kids. I'm sure you will stress just like I did, but your daughter will be fine.

Hi Estela, Some great advice here!! I would also take a look at her overall eating habits and be sure to boost her immune system in general.

Let me know if you want a sample of our "dye" free vitamin powder packet that is great as a liquid or in yogurt or shakes. NO RED DYE!!! ASN HYBRIDS - Daily Powder Punch for Kids (www.beautifulfreedom.myarbonne.com)

In reading my Nutritional Healing Guide the key theme was allergies and immune system to prevent the ear fluid build up which then creates environment for ear infections.

Praying for you as you work through a decision on tubing.

D.

have you tried a little bit of warm mineral oil. i dont mean to sound like a druggie but try heating up a little bit of mineral oil in a spoon heating it with a lighter. when its warm (not hot so you dont burn her) pour it into her ear and then put cotton in it to catch what comes out. your daughter will have to lay on her side for about 10 mins while you massage her ear getting the warm oil down inside. after that shes free to do whatever.

Hi Estela,

First off let me tell you I am not a Dr., but a mom like you and I suffered from chronic ear infections as a child. Unfortunately when I was a kid they didn't have the technolodgy they do now. I had fluid in my ears, and none of the antibiotics worked. Due to the fluid being there for so long it caused corrosion of the bones that help you hear in my middle ear. I ended up having tubes placed in when I was 12, and then had to have reconstructive surgery to help fix the damage the fluid caused about 5 years later. Now at 30 I have 80% hearing loss in my right ear due to the damage. My mom tried everything she could to help, but they just waited too long to put the tubes in. I personally would get the tubes to help prevent my children going through this. I have a 13 yr old, a 2 yr old, and a 7 month old I would not even flinch if the Dr. recommended that as a solution. It is relativly painless and would help save my kids from going through what I am going through. I can barely hear unless it is extremly loud with out a hearing aid. Just somehting to think about.

I'd say get the tubes right away. I had them put in a few times as a child. It doesn't hurt and it only helps. It's good you are at an ENT. My pediatrician told my mom always that it was swimmer's ear. She finally took matters into her own hands since he wouldn't listen to her and took me to an ENT. I had a ruptured ear drum and some resulting hearing loss and had to have major surgery (a tympanoplasty to rebuild my ear drum). This is not something you want to try and fix without a good ENT's help. It probably is that your child's eustachian tube is too narrow to drain, so will keep getting the ionfections unless you make the tube bigger with tubes put in.

There is an ear remedy by Hylands that I've used with success to avoid ear infections. As I teenager I suffered from ear infections and after MANY antibiotics and doctors recommending the removal of my adnoids, I made it to a holistic doctor.

Food allergies were contributing to my ear infections, specifically wheat/flour products as they turn to gluten in your body which can contribute to ear problems.

I remember putting echinacea and goldenseal into my ears with a dropper. We also warmed oil and put it in my ears, it helps get the fluid out.

I would not pursue tubes but rather a eastern medicine doctor.

Good luck!

Hi Estela,
I have experienced only a few ear infections in my daughter ears. BUT, I have learned a lot from all of your other responses and will tell my SIL who's 2 year old son suffers from chronic ear infections. (he already has tubes in his ears)
I do however have a suggestion for you. Whenever my daughter is on antibiotics, I give her a Probiotic Blend called Natures Way Primadophilus.
This will help keep the "good" bacteria in her intestines that the antibiotic destroys. It can also help prevent yeast infections caused by the antibiotic.
I take an adult Probiotic when I go on antibiotics because I get yeast infections as well as my 23 month old daughter.
No one addressed this issue in any of your other responses so, I thought I would mention it.
The chiropractor sounds like the best idea. (the ear draining)
Good luck to you!

Estela C.

Tubing the ear canal is not a bad idea. They had to do this for my oldest boy (who is not 30+) he is just fine. You don't want him to totally lose his hearing, the implantation of the tubing is an outpatient procedure and this is only about half a day including recovery (at least it was in the early 80's). He will not be able to swim without an ear plug, however, he will still have his hearing. There should not be any complications unless there is something in the genetics, this is where the doctor can help you out. Good Luck!

I do not know a homeopathic remedy for you, but I have some advice based on my son's experience. He never had tubes, but 7 ear infections between 14 months and 2-1/2 years old. He is now 6-1/2, and 3 months ago we discovered he suffered a conductive hearing loss. A typical hearing exam would not pick up on this loss, so he passed many hearing exams in the past several years. This current audiologist did a tympanogram and acoustic reflex test which detected the hearing loss. She believes strongly it was due to the multiple ear infections (evidenced by the eardrum scarring), which over time can effect the middle ear.

Fortunately we did AIT (auditory integration training) with our son, and it corrected the hearing loss. Our son is speech delayed and diagnosed with PDD, but since correcting his hearing loss he has come out of his shell and is talking WAY more. We believe the hearing loss was a huge cause of his developmental delays.

I would strongly suggest you have your daughter's ears checked every year. Make sure it's not just a tone test, but a tympanogram and auditory reflex tests as well. At the moment she may not have a hearing loss, but over time one can develop.

I hope you find a natural way to clear the fluid!
Take care,
B.

I don't have any good suggestions. But, if it makes you feel any better, we had it done on our daughter and it was no big deal and it worked out beautifully. I'd do it over again.

Go for the tubes. I know it's nice to try other things but it's your daughter's life-long health at steak here as well as her hearing. Many many children get the tubes and they are night and day after. It's not going to get better until the ears are clear. I have a nephew who is now 25 and had the same problem. His mother did not put the tubes in even though they were suggested by both an ENT as well as his primary doctor. He has some hearing loss to the point he has a speech impediment that has held him back from dating (the girls can't understand him, he becomes angry, they leave), a good job (very poor communication due to not being understood and not understanding) and as mentioned before, anger issues. My daughter had strep throat every 6-8 weeks and was on antibiotics the same amount of time. Took me over a year until the ENT agreed to take her tonsils and adenoids out. She had just turned 4. It's been over a year and she has grown in height, weight, more outgoing and has NOT been on antibiotics since the day of surgery. Again, although it's nice to try other things, in this case, as in my daughter's, doing what the ENT suggests is the right thing. Good luck!

I have a 2 year old who is hearing impaired. Because of the education I receive, I hear alot about the tubes and why to get them. They are safe and temporary. I know it sounds scary, but without them your child will suffer from ear infections until her eustachian tubes change to a more straight angle. This will only happen as she grows. For her it everything probably sounds muffled and like she's under water. I don't think you would like to feel that way all the time or would want her to feel that way all of the time either. I hope my little bit of info helps. Just remember, the tubes are temporary and they will fall out on their own. She will get through this and so will you.

Estela, if the ENT recommends tubes in your daughter's ears, have no fear. My daughter had these put in both ears. My daughter was asleep during the procedure and it doesn't hurt them. In fact, they don't feel them at all. In the long run it will benefit your daughter and you from having to put her on anti-biotics and all the doctor appointments, plus the ear aches, fevers, etc. Good luck.

Hi,

I'm not sure how to get the fluid out of your daughter's ears, but I do know that a healthy immune system is a huge part when it comes to our children battling ear infections and other sicknesses. Shaklee is the #1 natural nutrition company in the U.S. and they just launched a new line called Shaklee Kids. The have a multivitamin (Incredivites) the has 23 essential vitamins & minerals, it contains the latest recommended does of Vit D (600IU), a nutrient called lactoferrin to boost the immune system, and a prebiotic for the digestive track. The digestive system works along with the immune system to provide good health. They also came out with an Omega 3 supplement chew (Mighty Smart)for kids. A toxic-free home is also essential for good health and Shaklee has a natural, toxic-free cleaning line that is safe, effective, and super concentrated for money savings. You can learn about the products and company at www.shaklee.net/greennutrition or give me a call anytime ###-###-####).

C.

Get the tubes!! I know this isn't what you wanted to hear but I watched both my brothers and sisters kids suffer horribly while trying to find another option. Once the eldest kids from each family got their tubes, they were happy and never had ear problems again. (They didn't hesitate when the others were found to need them.) All are now upper teens and/or adults and out of the 5 that had them in, only one had to have help getting the tubes out, everyone elses just fell out. You will save yourself and more importantly your child alot of undue pain and suffering if you just do it.

Try a chiropractor! We were totally skeptical when we first went. My son (who was 2 at the time) had multiple ear infections, as soon as he got off antibiotics he'd get another one, and they were ready to put tubes in his ears. We went to the chiropractor, put him on soy milk and he hasn't had an infection since!

I am a speech pathologist and agree that this could cause problems later in life. That being said, my daughter suffered for months with this. We tried everything. Once I had the tubes put in, she was a different person! I don't think anything will dry up the fluid short of tubes. It's a super easy procedure. My daughter was out of surgery in 5-10 minutes and you'd never know she had it done. Except for feeling so much better and never getting another infection !!

tried-&-true homeopathic for one child may be complete waste of time or extreme aggravation for yours. homeopathic remedies work best when selected for an individual, not for the diagnosis. depending on your geographical location, there are few or many qualified professional homeopaths available - check the link: http://www.homeopathy.org/directory.html
you'll be safer if the homeopath you choose has "CCH" after the last name. Even ND-s don’t spend that much time learning homeopathy if they are not CCH, let alone MD, DO and chiro.
Good Luck
V

Dear Estela,

There is a wonderful doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medecine in the Valley, Dr Allison Howard, she is wonderful and always has cures for everything that is not mainstream and invasive. For the ears I know she suggests several things but there is a garlic and something oil but I can't remember the name. Her number is ###-###-####. Capital Drugs has alot of great products.
Good Luck,
Jennifer

I 1st read your post as 33 YEAR old daughter....LOL. hearing loss can develope. I don't have other ideas, but, if nothing else works, I know tubes do, and it is a quick procedure. The scariest part is the whole "surgery" part.

Hi Estela,

A solidly trained classical homeopath will prescribe a remedy that is individualized for your child (simply guessing with over-the-counter low-potency remedies won't work for chronic infections).

If you will let me know where you live and what some of the closest cities are, I will help you look for a well-trained homeopath to help your daughter. A well-chosen remedy will not only stop the current infection but prevent it from ever coming back again.

Best,

S. I., L.Ac.
Lotus Wellspring Healthcare
456 E. Mission Road, Suite 100
San Marcos, CA 92069
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.lotuswellspring.com