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Ear Infections Can Lead to Balance Problems

For many parents, winter can be a time when their children suffer with inner ear infection. Kids are particularly susceptible to ear complications because their narrow sinus passages and still-developing ear canals might not properly drain excess fluid. Which means short-term discomfort, fever and lots of ear tugging.

Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common ear infection. Parts of the middle ear are infected and swollen and fluid is trapped behind the eardrum, causing earaches.

Dr. Lawrence Meiteles, an otolaryngologist and medical director of Northern Westchester Hospital’s Balance Center at Chappaqua Crossing, says that as cold and flu season spikes and the rate of respiratory and sinus infections rises, the occurrence of inner ear infections increases as well. “The infections are usually a complication from the build up of mucus in the sinus passages,” says Meiteles. “The fluid can trap bacteria, which can lead to an infection.”

There are several steps parents can take to prevent ear infections.  Read more >
 

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