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What
are the risk factors that cause ear infections?
| There are several
factors that increaser the risk of otitis media: |
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Children:
In general, children have more ear infections than
adults. In children, the Eustachian tube is much smaller
than adults and therefore may become more easily dysfunctional
(“closes up”).
Exposure: The more a child is exposed
to other children such as in a day care the bigger
the risk of exposure to the bacteria that cause ear
infections.
Smoking and Second-hand Smoke: Research
has proven that even second-hand smoke results in
an increase in otitis media in children of smoking
parents.
Enlarged Adenoids: The adenoids are
like tonsils that are located behind the nose where
the opening of the Eustachian tube is located. If
the adenoids become too large they may block the Eustachian
tube or harbor infection. |
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