by Dr. Matthew

Its an all too common situation here in the USA but its not normal. Your child isn’t supposed to get ear infections, but for many of you parents out there they do. So like any good parent you don’t want your child in pain or sick so you take them to the “doctor”. The medical doctor writes a prescription for an antibiotic and sends you on your way. Mission accomplished? Sorry to burst your bubble, chances are the antibiotic won’t work. According to the most prestigious medical journals in the world and even hospitals like Mayo clinic, ear infections over 90% of the time are viral in nature. Now here is the key question: Can an antibiotic ever kill a virus? The answer: NO. An antibiotic can never kill an ear infection. The top journals, hospitals, and anyone who knows what they are talking about will tell you to never give a child an antibiotic for an ear infection.

Now by this point I know what you are thinking, “If I can’t give my child an antibiotic, what can I do?” Well I am glad you asked. First things first, a child’s immune system develops as they grow. Think of it like one of their muscles. Its starts out fairly weak, but as the immune system is exposed to viruses and bacteria it most learn how to kill these invaders. After every encounter the immune system is stronger. You have to exercise it just like a muscle. The more you use it the stronger it grows. So giving a child and antibiotic or medicine every time they are sick is actually robbing their immune system the chance to grow stronger. The catch is you want your child’s immune system as strong as possible because its the immune system that kills things like cancer.

So what can be done when your child does get an ear infection? Start off by realizing although they are in pain the infection is only going to make them stronger. Next keep them warm and the fever high, viruses and bacteria cannot live above 103 degrees. That is why your child’s intelligent body spikes a fever. Do not bring the fever down. Let the body do exactly what it was designed to do, kill the invader. Next, no sugar. None. Zero. Zilch. Viruses and bacteria feed off of sugar, so don’t give them any fuel. Next supplement your child with higher doses of Vitamins C and D3 to make sure they body has everything it needs to do its job.  Lastly and most importantly get them to your chiropractor. Making sure the child’s brain is healing the body at 100% is the most important action step when trying to build health in the body.

Dr. Matthew is a health, fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle coach. For more on him, go to: www.askdrmatthew.com