The Daily Dispatch
Healthbeat
5
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Preventing ear infections in children Ear infections are one of the most common problems for children in the preschool years. Some children will get repeated infections that never seem to clear up completely. However, keeping the ears free of infection and fluid is very important at this age when so much of a child’s learning and social development depends on good hearing. Fortunately, there are many things a parent can do to help protect a young child’s ears
Keeping the ears free of infection and fluid is very important for children when so much of a child’s learning and social development depends on good hearing.
Henderson Family YMCA 380 Ruin Creek Road • Henderson, NC • 252-438-2144
Serving our Community SinCe 1980 • Wellness Center With Cybex equipment • indoor sWimming pool • sauna • steam room • hot tub • Kids gym • Full size gym • raCquet ball and squash Courts • Fitness Classes • nursery and Kids zone • youth sports • summer and aFtersChool Camps
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from infections. First and foremost, maintain a clean environment. Pollution is a big factor in causing the congestion that will eventually lead to plugged ears, fluid accumulation, and infection. Cigarette smoking is a major cause of irritation to the airways. Children will develop runny noses, congestion of the nasal passages and coughing from cigarette smoke. These conditions predispose them to infections and also prevent
children from resolving infections as easily. Heating with wood or kerosene is another source of pollution which contributes to congestion and infection. Oil, gas and electricity are all cleaner alternatives. For young children, being put to bed with a bottle is a problem. Milk or juice will pool around the Eustachian tube and promote infections. On the other hand,
Please see EARS, page 11