Where does otitis media come from in terms of "excess heat"?

Generally, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) holds that otitis media is often associated with "liver-gallbladder fire" or "lung heat." If abnormalities occur, timely medical consultation is recommended. The specific analysis is as follows:

The liver and gallbladder meridians pass through the ear area. Prolonged emotional fluctuations, staying up late, or consuming spicy foods may easily lead to "liver-gallbladder fire," causing fiery heat to rise along the meridians and disturb the ear, potentially triggering otitis media. This condition is often accompanied by symptoms such as ear pain, tinnitus, and a bitter taste in the mouth, and should be alleviated through clearing heat and benefiting the gallbladder.

Otitis media caused by "lung heat" usually results from external pathogenic factors penetrating inward and transforming into heat, or from long-term smoking or exposure to dry environments, leading to accumulation of lung heat. The ascending heat pathogens affect the ear, possibly causing symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, and pus discharge from the ear. Improvement can be supported by clearing lung heat and relieving throat discomfort, along with proper local ear care.

In daily life, it's important to keep the ears dry, avoid frequent ear picking, maintain a light diet to reduce triggers of "heatiness." If symptoms of otitis media persist or worsen, prompt medical attention is necessary to determine the underlying cause; relying solely on "heat-reducing" remedies may delay proper diagnosis and treatment.