Otitis Media

Q Can chronic otitis media also be cured with Korean medicine? Is a complete cure possible?

A. Chronic otitis media with effusion that has no eardrum perforation or ossicular damage can improve with Korean medicine. If there is structural damage, combining conventional surgery is realistic.

Q If I have rhinitis, am I also prone to otitis media? Should they be treated together?

A. When the eustachian tube opening is blocked by rhinitis or sinusitis, the middle ear cannot ventilate, leading to repeated effusion and inflammation. Treating them together greatly reduces recurrence.

Q I have otitis media along with tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Are they related?

A. Middle ear effusion or eustachian tube dysfunction can cause tinnitus. In many cases, the tinnitus improves once the otitis media is treated.

Q Is there anything I should be careful about in daily life when I have otitis media?

A. The key points are: keep water out of the ears, blow your nose gently one side at a time, feed infants in an upright position, and avoid secondhand smoke.

Q What should I do regularly to prevent otitis media?

A. Staying warm during seasonal changes, hand washing, treating rhinitis early, and maintaining proper indoor humidity are the keys to preventing recurrence.

Q Is it safe to give herbal medicine to young children? Are there any side effects?

A. It is safe because the dosage is adjusted according to the child's age and weight. The Hyeonggae Yeonkyo-tang and Ijin-tang series are prescriptions that have long been used for pediatric otitis media.

Q My otitis media symptoms are severe. Is it okay to rely on Korean medicine only? When should I go to the emergency room?

A. If swelling behind the ear, high fever with severe headache, facial asymmetry, or decreased consciousness occur together, go to the emergency room immediately.

Q I am currently taking antibiotics; can I take herbal medicine at the same time?

A. Most herbal medicines can be taken with antibiotics. However, please ensure there is an interval of 1 to 2 hours between doses and be sure to inform your doctor of Korean medicine. **

Q Does otitis media with effusion sometimes resolve on its own? How long does it take?

A. About 50% of effusion-type otitis media resolves spontaneously within 1 month and 70% within 3 months. However, if hearing loss persists, active treatment is needed.

Q Will my hearing fully recover after otitis media treatment?

A. Hearing loss from acute or effusion-type otitis media usually recovers completely once the effusion drains. Chronic otitis media with damaged eardrum or ossicles may leave some permanent loss.

Q What causes otitis media? Is it bacterial or viral?

A. Acute otitis media usually develops when bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae) travel up the eustachian tube into the middle ear following a cold virus.

Q My child keeps getting ear infections. Why is otitis media more common in children?

A. In children the eustachian tube is short and horizontal, so even a simple cold lets bacteria reach the middle ear easily, and an immature digestive function also makes phlegm-fluid form readily.

Q Are there foods or environments that worsen otitis media?

A. Spicy foods, snacks, and secondhand smoke that dry out the Lung, along with a dry indoor environment, make the middle ear lining vulnerable.

Q My ears feel blocked and painful on airplanes. Is this related to otitis media?

A. When the eustachian tube cannot adjust to pressure changes, pressure builds up in the middle ear, causing pain and effusion. If you have otitis media, you need to manage it before flying.

Q How often do I need to come in for otitis media treatment? How long does treatment take?

A. Acute cases are typically treated 1-2 times a week for 2-4 weeks; effusion-type and recurrent cases are typically treated once a week for 2-3 months or longer.

Q What is the procedure for treating otitis media with Korean medicine at Dongjedang?

A. The process proceeds in the following order: initial constitutional diagnosis, prescription of herbal medicine to clear lungs and resolve phlegm, acupuncture and bloodletting for the otolaryngology, monitoring of progress, and prescription adjustment.

Q I was advised to have ventilation tube (grommet) surgery. Can I try Korean medicine first?

A. If hearing loss is mild and the effusion is recent, it is reasonable to try 2-3 months of Korean medicine treatment first before deciding on surgery.

Q Does Korean medicine actually cure otitis media? Is it more effective than antibiotics?

A. For acute bacterial infection, antibiotics are the first-line treatment. Korean medicine is effective as a complementary approach for absorbing effusion, preventing recurrence, and improving the underlying constitution.