Ear Pain
Ear Pain
Ear pain or earaches in children are common. These can be caused by an infection in the ear behind the eardrum or in the middle ear. Kids under 5 years old are at risk for ear infections, especially as a result of upper respiratory infections.
In Ayurveda, ear diseases are called karna roga. Depending on the dosha involved, they are classified into following types.
- Vata type characterized by severe pain along with thin discharge, dried ear wax, ringing in ear (tinnitus), and deafness
- Pitta type shows symptoms as swelling, redness, tearing, burning, and yellow discharge
- Kapha type characterized by swelling, mild pain, itching, white and slimy discharge, and abnormal hearing
- Sannipatataja type is when vata, pitta, and kapha imbalance occur together; the discharge is colored according to the predominant dosha
Causes Of Ear Pain
- One of the commonest causes of earache in kids is ear infections. An infection of the middle ear behind the eardrum is the most common cause. Ear infections can be caused by viruses or bacteria. Severe infections may lead to pus accumulation or abscess.
- Swimmer’s Ear (infection or irritation of skin that lines ear canal) is another common cause of ear pain.
- Ear canal injury due to an ear bud or a finger nail is another common cause of pain.
- Earwax blocking the ear canal may also lead to ear pain in children.
- A foreign body or an object in the ear canal similarly can cause blockage and pain.
- Ear pain may also be caused due to pain in another region such as tooth that radiates to the ear.
- Airplane ear ache- due to change in ear pressure
Symptoms Of Ear Pain
- Dull or sharp pain in the ear
- Itching inside the ear
- Ringing or buzzing sounds
- Loss of hearing
- Sense of blocked ear
Ear Pain In Children Ayurvedic Treatment
Ear pain is managed by treating the underlying cause. Treatment is usually for the underlying cause. For example infections of the ear are managed with antibiotics. Foreign bodies in the ear or wax impaction may be removed. Pain medications may be given to ease the pain. Cold packs may ease the pain in some children.
Internal medicine
- Shaman chikitsa
- Vata dosh chikitsa
- Kapha dosh chikitsa
Panchkarma
- Karna Paran
- Lepam
- Snehan
- Swedan
- Abhyang
- Give fresh, well cooked, nutritious food to the child
- Include wholesome food such as barley, oats, wheat, semolina (rava), rice including basmati, white rice, rice flour, puffed rice etc.
- Green or yellow mung beans or red lentils (dal) are recommended.
- Vegetables should be well-cooked, and prepared with large quantities of water.
- Green, leafy vegetables, white pumpkin, asparagus, artichoke, cabbage, eggplant (peeled), carrots (in small amounts), spinach, chicory, tomato (peeled) and tender white radish (prepared in oil), green papaya are recommended
- Low fat milk, goat’s milk, buttermilk, yogurt mixed with water 1:1 (lassi, or buttermilk), small amounts of clarified butter (ghee) are recommended
- Honey is recommended
- All oils (except coconut oil) in very small amounts for cooking only is recommended.
- All spices except salt, especially pungent and sharp spices (pepper, ginger, etc.) and lemon juice in small amounts is recommended
- Fruits should be sweet, ripe and in season: grapes, pomegranates, papayas, figs, apples (peeled), guava. The juice of these fruits is also good
- Do not clean ears with cotton swabs or sharp objects
- Avoid second-hand smoke
- Avoid contact with anyone with a cold
- Make your kids learn the habit of washing their hands
- Should not give bottle when the baby is lying down