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.
Detailed Answer
Causes of Otitis Media
Otitis media occurs when bacteria or viruses invade through the eustachian tube, which connects the nose and the middle ear.
- Acute otitis media — After a cold, organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis ascend the eustachian tube and cause inflammation in the middle ear.
- Otitis media with effusion — When the eustachian tube fails to ventilate the middle ear, fluid accumulates. This can occur even without a bacterial infection.
- Chronic otitis media — A state in which inflammation persists for more than three months due to repeated infection or eardrum perforation.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, the Lung (pye) is considered to govern the ears and nose. When heat accumulates in the Lung (Lung-heat, pyeyeol), the defensive qi (wigi) that guards against external pathogens weakens, leaving the eustachian tube lining vulnerable. In addition, when phlegm-fluid (dameum) blocks the eustachian tube, drainage of effusion becomes difficult. At Dongjedang, treatment focuses on clearing Lung-heat and resolving phlegm-fluid.
Related FAQs
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Q
Can chronic otitis media also be cured with Korean medicine? Is a complete cure possible?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
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Q
If I have rhinitis, am I also prone to otitis media? Should they be treated together?
#Comorbidities
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Q
I have otitis media along with tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Are they related?
#Comorbidities
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Q
Is there anything I should be careful about in daily life when I have otitis media?
#Lifestyle Management
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Q
What should I do regularly to prevent otitis media?
#Lifestyle Management