Ear infections, or acute otitis media (AOM) in children are all too common and appear to be helped by vitamin D supplemention. A recent study followed 116 children given 1000 IU of vitamin for four  months.1

The researchers stated that, "The supplementation with vitamin D increased serum levels, and this increase is significantly associated with a reduction in the total number of AOM episodes." They also noted that not only did the vitamin D reduce the occurence of recurrent acute otitis media (ear infection) but it also reduced "the risk of uncomplicated episodes of AOM." Nice. Just in time for fall and winter!

1. Esposito S. Abstract G-1249. Presented at: ICAAC 2013; Sept. 9-13, 2013; Denver.

Ellie was only 5 years old and her father carried her limp body into my office, tears in his eyes. He just came from the hospital after his daughter "felt ill". She was examined, had an MRI of her head and neck, and was released from the emergency room. Her father was told that she would be fine, that there were no "injuries", and that she will get better. Having been a patient of mine for years, Bob knew he could come to me with any problem. He was concerned that they missed something. They did. After a thorough examination I found one of the most common problems harming our young patients' health: poor spine function. She was listless, barely able to speak, saying that she had a headache and neck pain. I called the ER physician and told him my concerns of there still being a possible medical emergency, infection, etc. He assured me that the imaging was normal and that she was fine. I proceeded to treat little Ellie with the gentlest of techniques, releasing lots of tension from her upper neck. Her eyes opened immediately and she started laughing. Bob picked her up and hugged her while I left the room. After 5 minutes they came to the front desk, Ellie skipping down the hallway and her father beaming from ear to ear saying,"Thankyou Dr. George for bringing my Ellie back!" I said, "Don't thank me, thank chiropractic."