As otitis media or ear infections peak during the cold winter months, a team of researchers at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev suggest that the most effective treatment in a majority of cases is to wait patiently rather than start the antibiotics dosage immediately. The findings appeared in the Expert Review of the Anti-infective Therapy, a leading science journal. However, the researchers are not asking you to wait for an eternity even when the symptoms appear serious. In justifying their claims, the investigators are pointing at the number of cases that have been solved this way with little or no long term side effects.

Via: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101217145645.htm

The medical community, over the past few years, has engaged in a series of debates on the most effective treatment for acute otitis media or middle ear infections, especially among young children. A latest study by researchers at the University of Pittsburg has found evidence to show that antibiotics are more effective than placebos in relieving the symptoms. In the research, investigators made 291 children between six and twenty-three months of age, diagnosed with middle ear infections, undergo either placebo or amoxicillin-clavulanate therapy for ten days. Results showed that nearly every child undergoing amoxicillin-clavulanate treatment registered a significant decrease in the duration and severity of symptoms compared to children in the placebo treatment group.

Via: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110112175519.htm

Infancy or childhood is a period fraught with health problems of every nature. Of them, pediatric ear infection is one problem worth mentioning. Improvements in the quality of air over the past few years have lowered the incidences of ear infections among children, says a new research. The study was conducted by researchers at the Boston based Women’s Hospital in conjugation with teams from Brigham and ULCA respectively. The researchers believe that the latest findings, which demonstrate a close connection between ear infections and air quality, are likely to have a widespread political and social impact. The study sheds light on the benefits of the revised version of the Clean Air Act, 1990.

Via: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128165119.htm

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health have found an association between reduction in second hand smoking and decrease in the incidence of otitis media: the name used to describe ear infections. The study appeared on the official website of Tobacco Control, a leading science journal. This is probably the first attempt to quantify, over a period of thirteen years, a reversal in an increasing trend in ear infections among the underage crowd. If parents start avoiding cigarettes at home, they will be able to protect children from the problem that causes the maximum number of hospital visits in the nation.

Via: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110127090620.htm

Every year, a sizable amount of the underage crowd gets affected by severe ear infections. A new study now links ear infections to the consumption of fatty foods which puts children at increased risk of getting overweight with time. The findings were presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. The study conducted by John Hayes in collaboration with researchers at the University of Connecticut found a close association between food choice, taste, obesity and otitis media exposure. Middle aged women whose taste nerve damage is consistent with taste functioning are likely to prefer fatty foods more and thereby develop larger waists. In another research, the scientists found that preschoolers with a penchant for sweets tended to be overweight. The bottom line is, taste damage from severe ear infections is likely to alter food preference and more than double the risk of ear infections.

Via: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080814154321.htm