The Parent's Complete Guide to Ear Infections

By Alan R. Greene

Book Overview

The Parent's Complete Guide to Ear Infections is a one-stop guide to one of the most common and bothersome ailments of childhood. Easy to read and positive in tone, it provides the answers you need, from basic anatomy of the ear to why a child's ear becomes easily and frequently infected. Here is valuable information on the most up-to-the-minute treatment options available and how to help prevent ear infections from recurring: What causes ear infections? How they are diagnosed The best (and appropriate) treatments When to consider surgery How to recognize complications of ear infections Everything you need to know about different kinds of antibiotics How to tell if your child needs ear tubes And many more parent-empowering facts

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380810476
• ISBN13: 9780380810475
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Excellent, balanced primer for parents

This book was a great source that helped me pull together so much of the information I'd heard about antibiotics - that they don't work, that they're overused, etc. The author does a fabulous job of summarizing the different types of pathogens that cause ear infections. He explains that not all ear infections are bacterial, and even among those that are, nearly two thirds would resolve themselves with or without antibiotics. This really helped me put in perspective all of those books that tout, "your children don't need antibiotics!" Most of the time they don't, agrees the author; however, he says, one third of bacterial ear infections do require antibiotics in order to resolve without complications. And he provides the gory details about those possible complications.Far from advocating surgery, this author addresses many alternative approaches and is supportive of them insofar as they complement, not take the place of, conventional medicine. His approach with most ear infections is "wait and see;" go home, keep an eye on your child, and come back in 48 hours. Meanwhile, try your favorite home remedy - many of which he discusses in detail and is not critical or patronizing; he even recommends xylitol based on a Finnish medical study that found xylitol-sweetened chewing gum reduced the incidence of otitis media by nearly half!...In cases where ear infections do not show improvement within 48 hours, the author does advocate antibiotics. His book provides detailed descriptions of the antibiotics currently available. And yes, he discusses surgery, but in context it is more informational than promotional.A very sensible and balanced book with loads of valuable information.

gives an overall good view of antibiotics and surgery

I found the information on the different antibiotics that are used on childhood ear infections very helpful. Dr. Green gave a very brief over veiw of the alternative medicines and therapies available. He also left out how airborne allergies and food allergies affect ear infections. He seemed to lean towards surgery as an answer to ear recurrent ear infections. His advice on preparing your child for surgery was excellent. For parents who are trying to avoid surgery, I would look for another book.

Excellent!

Dr. Greene's book is a bible for parents whose children are experiencing ear infections at any degree. Clearly written, unbiased information about all there is to know about ear infections, antibiotics, surgery, tubes, and alternative therapy. Also, his website keeps parents up to date as to new developments on this chronic condition.

Well worth the money

This book is very clear and comprehensive. I appreciated the way Dr.Greene draws on the latest medical research and explains it so that a lay person can really understand. He neither "talks down" to the reader, nor over our heads. He also discusses alternative, non-medical therapies for ear infections in a balanced way. This book will help me be more confident in interacting with my daughter's pediatrician--I'll know much better what questions to ask. It was also just plain interesting to read, and the index and glossary were very helpful. I liked this work so much that I've ordered four copies for my friends with small children.