{"id":5931,"date":"2019-04-22T04:02:53","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T04:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5931"},"modified":"2021-03-31T19:00:30","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T19:00:30","slug":"14-easy-ways-to-treat-otitis-media-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-easy-ways-to-treat-otitis-media-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Easy Ways to Treat Otitis Media at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Otitis media describes an infection of the middle ear. This region of the ear consists of the eardrum and an area where three small bones link together. When middle ear infection occurs, pus starts to build in the hollow space, causing issues with balance, as well as a feeling of fullness in the ear as if you have water lodged in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Middle ear infections typically occur due to bacterial or viral infection. Most viral infections will clear by themselves in a few days. However, bacterial infections can be much more disruptive, and last for weeks on end. Doctors treat bacterial infections with antibiotics to kill off the invading pathogen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most middle ear infections leave no lasting damage to the eardrum or ear canals, and patients make a full recovery. Should you or your family members come down with a case of otitis media, you can treat the symptoms using these eight home remedies for the condition.
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1.    OTC Medication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pain and inflammation <\/a>symptoms associated with a middle ear infection are challenging to handle for both adults and children. As the fluid builds up in the space behind the eardrum, the pressure can intensify, leading to severe sensations of pain and discomfort for the infected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children may cry and tug on their ear as a signal to parents that they are struggling with the pain symptoms. Over the counter medications available at your local pharmacy may provide some relief for adults, but they should never administer them to children without the consent of a doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some OTC pain and inflammation aids, such as Aspirin \u2013 and other medication containing aspirin, may result in the development of Reyes syndrome in children. Kids with Reye\u2019s syndrome may develop issues with liver and brain functions that are potentially life-threatening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adults can try acetaminophen (Tylenol,) and ibuprofen (Advil,) to relieve symptoms of pain and swelling associated with otitis media.
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2.    Warm Olive Oil  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Otitis media presents symptoms of pain and swelling in the ear. Using warm olive oil<\/a> to treat the condition may have some unexpected benefits. Extra-virgin olive oil is rich in ALA \u2013 alpha-linolenic acid. This essential fatty acid has potent anti-inflammatory properties that give the oil its revered status in the Mediterranean diet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To use olive oil for treating symptoms of discomfort and pain associated with otitis media, you\u2019ll need to warm it in the microwave for a few seconds. Heating the oil decreases its viscosity, making it runny. This strategy allows the oil to work its way through the crevices in your ear, and drain quickly out of the Eustachian tube that connects to the back of the throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heat a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, lie down on the couch on your side and have a friend or family member dribble the oil into your ear. The oil runs through the outer ear, into the middle ear \u2013 where it attaches to the viral agents causing the infection, and then proceeds to flush them out through the Eustachian tube.
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3.    Hot and Cold Therapy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Infection <\/a>of the middle ear causes symptoms of throbbing pain that intensify as the virus or bacteria reach critical mass in the ear. The infected person may feel that their ear gets warmer as the infection spreads throughout the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other patients may experience headaches or migraines due to the infection, along with symptoms of fever and pain. Using a cold or warm compress to treat the symptoms as they arise is an excellent pain management strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to hand towels for this home remedy. Start your treatment by soaking a cloth in cold water, and wring it out. Place the towel in the fridge or freezer while you boil the kettle, then pour the boiling water over the towel. Wait a few seconds and wring it out –  Remove the first towel from the fridge, and lie down on the couch. Place the warm towel on your forehead and cover the temples with the edges as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the heat fades, place the cold towel on your forehead in the same manner. Repeat the treatment as needed for pain relief.
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4.    Naturopathic Eardrops <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some homeopathic remedies make for excellent treatments <\/a>for otitis media. While medical specialists admit that some homeopathic remedies may show some benefit for clearing the infection, most doctors advise against using naturopath strategies, such as \u201cear-candling,\u201d where the patient places a hollow beeswax candle, tipped with paraffin, into the ear. They light the candle, and the flame causes suction \u2013 drawing the toxins out of the ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While not approved for use by the FDA, some people experiencing middle ear infection swear by the use of naturopathies drops to clear the virus. Most solutions include the use of saline to clean out the middle ear and reduce viral material responsible for causing symptoms of pain and discomfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lie on the couch and place two or three drops of saline solution in your ear. The fluid will bypass the eardrum and pull all of the pus out of the middle ear, draining it through the Eustachian tube.
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5.    Tea Tree Oil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tea tree oil<\/a> is well known for its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. This natural super-oil comes from the needle-like leaves of the tea tree shrub. The polyphenols and terpenes in the oil have medicinal properties \u2013 with the most beneficial being \u201c4-terpineol.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use tea tree oil to treat your ear infection. Pull out the diffuser and add three or four drops to some purified water in the tank of the device. Run the steamer as you sleep, and as you breathe in the medicated fumes, the beneficial compounds in the steam enter your sinus and ear canal, reducing the intensity of the infection while relieving symptoms of pain and inflammation.
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If you don\u2019t have a diffuser, boil the kettle and add the boiling water to a Pyrex dish, along with a few drops of tea tree oil. Drape a towel over your head, place your face above the bowl and breathe in the steam.
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6.    Ginger Oil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ginger <\/a>root is an age-old remedy for treating otitis media infection, as well as a slew of inflammatory diseases. Ginger contains a type of polyphenol micronutrient known as, \u201cgingerol.\u201d Gingerol has potent anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People suffering from the pain and inflammation symptoms associated with a middle ear infection can benefit from the use of ginger tea and ginger oil to treat their pain and inflammation symptoms. Start by brewing yourself a steaming hot mug of ginger tea at least twice a day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking the tea allows your sinus and digestive system to absorb the beneficial polyphenols, relieving symptoms of inflammation and pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soak a cotton ear bud in ginger oil and apply it to the pinna in the ear to reduce swelling and pain symptoms. Avoid pouring ginger oil into your ear canal as it may cause the onset of irritation to the eardrum, increasing pain symptoms and inflammation of the area.
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7.    Garlic Oil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Garlic<\/a> isn\u2019t only for use in seasoning Italian food \u2013 it has beneficial medicinal properties as well. Garlic has a purpose in traditional medical applications to treat inflammation and bacterial infections. The bulbous herb is well-known for its healing abilities in fighting off the effects of inflammation in a variety of ailments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use garlic oil as a home remedy to treat the symptoms of pain and inflammation associated with otitis media. While only anecdotal evidence exists of garlic’s medicinal benefits, advocates of the herb swear by its efficacy for healing infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Order some garlic oil from your online retailer and add it to a neti pot. Pour the oil into your ear, and wait for it to drain through the outer ear and pass the eardrum, where it comes in contact with the virus or bacteria causing the infection. The oil collects viral or bacterial matter and pulls them through the Eustachian tube.
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8.    Sleeping Position<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People experiencing otitis media infection may find that they have a hard time sleeping due to the persistent pain symptoms associated with the condition. As a result, many patients toss and turn all night, feeling like a zombie the following day due to sleep deprivation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleep is vital to our health, it\u2019s the time of the day when the brain clears out all of the toxins from neural pathways, and the body heals itself from the stresses <\/a>of the day. When we don\u2019t get enough sleep, it hinders our recovery from infection \u2013 so, getting your sleep is an absolute necessity if you want to cure yourself in as short a time as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors recommend that patients with otitis media infection sleep on their side, with the infected ear facing the ceiling. This sleeping position helps to mitigate pain symptoms and will help you to get to sleep. Should you still experience sleeplessness, ask your pharmacist for an OTC sleep remedy to help you get some rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents of young children with middle ear infections (otitis media) have long since noted the reluctance to put pressure on the side of the infected ear. Sleeping with the painful side \u201cup\u201d may be of help in the management of ear pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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