The medical term for an ear infection is otitis media. The word otitis stands for inflammation of the ear and the term media means middle, as the infection usually occurs in the middle ear canal.

Although children are more likely to suffer from ear infections, and this is often due to the narrow passage that connects the middle ear to the nose, which can get blocked easily, adults may suffer from ear infections too for a variety of reasons.

What causes ear infections?

The common causes of ear infections include:

• Poor immunity – a compromised immune system means that the body is liable to pick up infections. Ear infections often arise after a cold or viral infection making it vital to boost your immune system.
• Airborne allergens – airborne allergens such as fungal spores, pet dander, dust mites and cigarette smoke may be responsible for ear infections.
• Food sensitivities – the most common food allergens which may be responsible for ear pain include wheat, dairy products, sugar, yeast and shellfish.
• Structural blockages – in some cases chronic ear infections may arise as a result of structural problems involving the ear and the Eustachian tube. Enlarged adenoids are a common cause.
• Respiratory tract infections may often be accompanied by ear infections.
• Lack of mucus production within the ear may make one more susceptible to ear infections.
• Water gets trapped in the ear canal due to build-up of wax, called swimmer’s ear. This causes bacteria to grow and then an infection follows.

These are some of the most common causal factors for ear infections.

Symptoms of ear infections

The symptoms of ear infection in adults and children may be:

• ear aches
• discharge running out of ear
• muffled hearing
• high temperature
• vertigo

Natural remedies for earache & ear infections

Ear infections are often treated with antibiotics whether taken orally or in the form of antibiotic ear drops. In many instances, ear infections may be viral and not bacterial in nature making the antibiotic ear drops not very useful at all.

Not everyone wishes to use oral antibiotics or antibiotic ear drops, especially with recurrent ear infections or constant ear aches.

Wally’s Natural Organic Ear Oil are natural ear oil drops to provide pain relief from earache. These ear oil drops contain Mullein Extract, Garlic Oil, Tea Tree Oil, as well as Echinacea Extract.

Mullein and Echinacea are excellent anti-inflammatories and are used in this ear oil as a treatment to soothe inflammation caused by ear infections.

Garlic and Tea Tree oils work to display powerful antimicrobial properties and may help with the treatment of recurrent mild ear infections for those who do not wish to use ear drops with antibiotics all the time.

If you are feeling a bit run down and your immune system is low, consider taking Daily Immunity, a supplement containing herbal extracts and vitamins for the immune system.