Does otitis media require a special diet?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 21, 2025
00:00
00:00

Patients with otitis media are advised to have a light diet and avoid spicy, stimulating foods and allergenic foods, as these may exacerbate the condition. Some patients may also develop acute pharyngitis or acute tonsillitis. Therefore, after the onset of otitis media, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngology (ENT) department, where a routine blood test and otoscopy can be conducted to assess the severity of the condition. Generally, the use of antibiotics for anti-infection treatment should be considered. During treatment, it is essential to keep the external ear canal dry and water-free. The treatment period is usually about one week. With timely treatment, most patients will gradually recover.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
57sec home-news-image

Symptoms of Otitis Media Recovery

Otitis media is a common and frequently occurring disease in otolaryngology, which is divided into various types such as acute otitis media, chronic otitis media, and cholesteatoma otitis media. Acute otitis media is often seen in cases of colds or coughs. Patients primarily present with pain and pus discharge from the middle ear. Treatment under the guidance of a physician may include the use of antibiotics and corticosteroids. Additionally, during a cold, it is advisable to avoid forceful nose blowing to prevent retrograde infection to the middle ear. For patients with chronic cholesteatoma otitis media, treatment usually requires radical mastoidectomy to remove the lesion and granulation tissue in the middle ear, thereby restoring the normal physiological environment of the middle ear. Repairing the perforated eardrum can also achieve a cure.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Cheng Fu Wei
Otolaryngology
28sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of otitis media?

Otitis media comes in several types, with most cases of acute otitis media involving ear pain, typically throbbing or stabbing pain, followed by decreased hearing, or tinnitus. There may also be ear discharge or pus; using a cotton swab, one might notice an unusual smell from the ear secretions. Systemic symptoms such as fever and chills are less common, with the primary symptoms being localized, mainly consisting of ear pain, reduced hearing, and discharge.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
45sec home-news-image

Does otitis media require a special diet?

Patients with otitis media are advised to have a light diet and avoid spicy, stimulating foods and allergenic foods, as these may exacerbate the condition. Some patients may also develop acute pharyngitis or acute tonsillitis. Therefore, after the onset of otitis media, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngology (ENT) department, where a routine blood test and otoscopy can be conducted to assess the severity of the condition. Generally, the use of antibiotics for anti-infection treatment should be considered. During treatment, it is essential to keep the external ear canal dry and water-free. The treatment period is usually about one week. With timely treatment, most patients will gradually recover.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
50sec home-news-image

Treatment methods for otitis media with effusion

Otitis media with effusion mainly refers to a type of secretory otitis media, where there is negative pressure in the middle ear cavity and fluid accumulation occurs. Treatment usually begins with medications, lasting either one to three months or three to six months. Antibiotics, steroids, and medications that facilitate the drainage of the effusion, such as Mucosolvan, may be used. Additionally, medications that constrict the mucosal blood vessels in the nasal cavity can also be used to facilitate the function of the Eustachian tube. If medication does not relieve or cure the condition, invasive treatment methods such as tympanic membrane puncture, tympanotomy, tympanostomy tube insertion, and Eustachian tube balloon dilation can be employed.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
48sec home-news-image

Is otitis media easy to treat?

Clinically, otitis media is a common and frequently occurring disease, primarily referring to acute and chronic inflammation of the eardrum, tympanic cavity, and mastoid antrum. Its clinical treatment mainly involves two aspects: surgical treatment and medication. Generally, during the acute phase of the disease, medication is the main treatment, primarily using antibiotics to control the infection. Surgical treatment is mainly aimed at chronic otitis media, secretory otitis media, or cholesteatoma otitis media, involving the removal of lesions and repair of structures. Overall, the treatment for otitis media is generally effective and yields good results. The key is to detect and treat it early without delay.