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.
Detailed Answer
The Rhinitis-Otitis Media Connection Mechanism
The eustachian tube connects the middle ear and the nasopharynx (the pharynx behind the nose). With rhinitis or sinusitis, the nasopharyngeal lining swells and blocks the eustachian tube opening, making ventilation of the middle ear and drainage of effusion difficult. This is one of the core causes of effusion-type and recurrent otitis media.
Combined Treatment at Dongjedang
- We treat rhinitis (circulating Lung qi and reducing nasal lining swelling) and otitis media at the same time.
- Hyeonggae-yeongyo-tang (Schizonepeta and Forsythia decoction) is a base formula effective for both rhinitis and otitis media.
- Ear/ENT bloodletting resolves congestion around the nasopharynx and eustachian tube.
When rhinitis is managed together, the recurrence cycle of otitis media often shortens significantly. The Dong-gu area of Incheon has frequent exposure to yellow dust and fine particulate matter, so managing rhinitis is especially important.
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