Q My child can't sleep well because of nasal congestion, perhaps from rhinitis, and says their ears feel plugged. Is this related to otitis media as well?
A The nose and ears are connected by the eustachian tube, so when a child's rhinitis swells the nasal and eustachian tube mucosa, ventilation of the middle ear is blocked and otitis media easily develops. Nasal congestion also lowers sleep quality. When rhinitis is treated at its root, the plugged-ear feeling and sleep problems often improve together.
Detailed Answer
The back of the nose and the middle ear are connected by the eustachian tube, so when the mucosa swells due to rhinitis, the tube becomes blocked and ventilation and drainage of the middle ear become difficult, easily leading to otitis media. In particular, children are more strongly affected because their eustachian tubes are short and closer to horizontal. Nasal congestion also obstructs breathing during sleep and lowers sleep quality.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Dongjedang does not view the ear or sleep problems separately but manages their root, the swelling and stagnation of the nasal and eustachian tube mucosa, together. When the swollen mucosa subsides and the passage opens, the plugged-ear feeling decreases and the child often sleeps much more comfortably at night. Since children's issues are directly tied to growth, we place weight on gently restoring the condition of the mucosa.
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