Foods That Worsen Symptoms

• Spicy foods — Aggravate Lung-heat and intensify congestion of the eustachian tube lining.
• Greasy foods and snacks — Generate phlegm-fluid and make eustachian tube secretions thick and sticky.
• Cold foods and ice cream — Suppress Lung qi and lower the immune capacity of the mucous lining.
• Wheat-flour foods — Depending on the constitution, they may promote the formation of phlegm-fluid.

Environmental Aggravating Factors

• Secondhand smoke — Suppresses the ciliary motion of the eustachian tube lining and hinders drainage of effusion.
• Dry indoor air — When the eustachian tube lining dries out, its protective function declines. Maintain appropriate humidity (50-60%).
• Yellow dust and fine particulate matter — Irritate the nasopharyngeal lining and cause swelling at the eustachian tube opening.

Recommended Foods

Decoction of balloon flower root (gilgyeong, Platycodon) and pear juice moisten the Lung and help the eustachian tube lining recover.