Otitis media is an inflammatory condition that affects all or part of the middle ear structures, including the Eustachian tube, tympanic cavity, mastoid air cells, and sinuses. The vast majority are non-specific inflammations, especially common in children. They can be divided into two major categories: non-suppurative and suppurative. Non-suppurative includes secretory otitis media and barotrauma otitis media, while suppurative has acute and chronic inflammations, and specific inflammations are less common, such as tuberculous otitis media. Common types include secretory otitis media, acute suppurative otitis media, cholesteatoma otitis media, and barotrauma otitis media. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, otitis media falls under the categories of "ear blockage" and "ear swelling." The condition is related to the ear and is closely associated with the liver, gallbladder, and kidneys. It is often caused by external wind-heat or excessive fire in the liver and gallbladder, which gathers in the ear canal, steams and burns the eardrum, and leads to pus formation.
Wind-Heat Obstruction Type: Ear pain, a feeling of blockage and stuffiness in the ear, decreased hearing, accompanied by headache, fever, and dry, sore throat; the tongue is red, the coating is thin and yellow, and the pulse is floating and rapid.
Gallbladder Fire Excess Type: Severe ear pain, like being drilled or pricked, with purulent discharge from the ear. Accompanied by fever, red face, irritability, anger, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, dark yellow urine, and constipation; the tongue is red, the coating is yellow and thick, and the pulse is tight and rapid or slippery and rapid.
Phlegm-Stasis Obstruction Type: A feeling of blockage and stuffiness in the ear, tinnitus, and progressive hearing loss; the tongue is pale or purple, may have ecchymotic spots, and the pulse is sluggish or moist.
Spleen Deficiency and Dampness Stagnation Type: Purulent discharge from the ear, with a clear and thin consistency, that does not heal over the years. Accompanied by fatigue in the limbs, a sallow complexion, poor appetite with reduced food intake, and loose stools; the tongue is pale, the coating is white or greasy, and the pulse is moist.
Kidney Yin Deficiency Type: Purulent discharge from the ear, with a foul-smelling, putrid consistency similar to rotten dregs, that does not heal over the years. Accompanied by dizziness, fatigue, sore and weak waist and knees; the tongue is red or pale, with little or no coating, and the pulse is deep or thin.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course. (If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. After contracting the illness, patients can perform self-Eustachian tube insufflation, regardless of time and frequency, to strengthen recovery exercises. 2. If there is damage to the tympanic membrane, it is important to maintain cleanliness and dryness of the external auditory canal, especially during washing or bathing, when disinfected cotton can be loosely plugged into the external auditory canal. Acute otitis media should pay attention to changes in the condition to prevent complications that could endanger life. 3. Dietary Therapy Recipe: Celery and Red Date Soup. 300 grams of celery, 60 grams of red dates, and 30 grams of goji berries. Wash and chop the celery, and put it in a pot with red dates and goji berries, add 4 bowls of water, and simmer until it's reduced to 2 bowls, drink in 3 portions, and take for 5 to 7 days. It has the effect of clearing heat and nourishing yin, and can be used for otitis media due to kidney yin deficiency.