|
Page 3 of 3
Children have undeveloped digestive systems. Spitting up, vomiting, frequent burping, excess gas and loose stools are frequent pediatric complaints indicative of poor digestive function. Often, children are given a food or a combination of foods that serve to further weaken and stress their digestive systems. Invariably, food is incompletely digested and, as a result, children are confronted with having to deal with nourishment that does not serve them. Consequently, the body’s response is to produce additional mucus.
As described in immunology, Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda and nutritional medicine, mucus in the nose, throat, sinuses, airways, ears and other parts of the body can arise merely from the failure of the digestive system to accomplish its task successfully. Adults may suffer from the same process as well. Those foods most likely to increase mucus production and further stress a child’s already weak digestive system are: dairy, soy (especially overly processed soy products), commercial formulas, a heavy diet of raw fruits and vegetables, iced or cold foods and beverages, wheat and most flour products, baby cereals and commercial cereals, thick, creamy and heavy foods, processed grains, juice, soda, soft drinks, refined sugars, processed and refined foods, fried foods and oils, multiple food choices at a time and overfeeding.
Reducing and/or eliminating these foods from a child’s diet will often quiet the inflammation and prevent the development of further problems in acute flare-ups and, more specifically, in chronic inflammation of the ears. On the other hand, offering a child warm, cooked, simple, smooth, easy to digest, whole, non-processed foods, accompanied by small amounts of food herbs and spices, will strengthen and support a weak digestive system and keep mucus production and inflammation at a minimum.
Immediate Management So, it is still 3am and your child’s body is doing its best to purge the excess mucus. Yet, the fluid is not draining and the pain is the main focus. Ultimately, the goal is to rid the body of the mucus. However to ease the pain and begin immediate supportive care the following is a list of suggestions for parents to help them get through this difficult situation: Hold and comfort your child. Try to raise the head of the bed. For smaller children, place blankets or pillows under the mattress. Keep your child hydrated with room temperature water, clear soup and/or tea. Herbs that help to break up the mucus and comfort your child include thyme, ginger, licorice, eyebright, elder flowers and chamomile. Keep the diet simple. Keep solid foods to a minimum. Offer small doses of vitamin C throughout the day with fluids. Start children’s Echinacea within the first 24 hours of illness. Diffuse lavender essential oil in the room to help calm any anxiety you may have. Place several drops of mullein oil in a container and warm inside a pot of water on the stove. Take several drops of the mullein oil and place them in the affected ear canal. Gently pull and massage the ear lobe away from your child’s head and in a slightly downward direction. Use extra virgin olive oil in the same manner if no mullein oil is available or, Take 1-2 drops of organic tea tree essential oil and mix in a base of 20 drops of olive oil and place several warmed drops of this mixture into the affected ear canal. Use any one of the ear drop remedies several times a day to relieve the discomforts of the inflammation. Please be sure to use essential oils that are organic and top grade quality whenever possible. Use the tea tree oil combination and massage it into the front of your child’s chest below the collarbones in a horizontal fashion. Then rub the oil behind the affected ear(s) and massage down the side of the neck towards the collarbones. This will help open the drainage of lymph fluid into the chest cavity and allow the congestion to drain from the head. This can be done 2-3 times per day until the congestion has resolved. See your chiropractor the next day. Repeat visits as discussed with your provider. Contact your medical health care provider if your child does not improve within 48 hours, develops drainage from the ear or appears to be getting worse.
About the Author:
Dr. Palevsky believes in an integrative approach to his practice and applies a combination of western and eastern medical theories for those families who are interested in a broader medical approach to their children's health and wellness. He also uses nutrition as a major component of his work to help families achieve a greater level of health and awareness. He is a strong advocate of helping to educate and empower families. He strives to help parents access their knowledge and strengthen their confidences through their own experiences and intuition, thus supporting the idea that parents are the primary care providers for their children. In addition, Dr. Palevsky uses his integrative approach with children and families who experience such conditions as asthma, eczema, inflammatory bowel disease, ear infections, chronic congestion, diabetes, learning disabilities, developmental delays, side effects of chronic medication use and perceived vaccination damage. Case by case he incorporates and counsels about the benefits of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, chiropractic work, osteopathy, cranial-sacral therapy, homeopathy, essential oils and natural healing modalities such as aromatherapy, yoga, Reiki, meditation, reflexology and mindfulness. Dr. Palevsky is available to offer an educational program to families and practitioners in the areas of nutrition for infants and children, safe and alternative treatments for common and difficult pediatric conditions, vaccination controversies, preventive and holistic health, mindful parenting and rethinking the medical paradigm.
Dr. Palevsky is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and President of both the American Board of Holistic Medicine and the Holistic Pediatric Association (www.hpakids.org).
 This article appeared in Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, Issue #08.
To purchase this issue, Order Here.
|
Wellness Articles 
