
Photo: Carolina Heza on Unsplash
Otolithiasis refers to a condition in which calcium carbonate crystals called otoliths become displaced from their normal position in the inner ear. This causes issues such as dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders, which significantly impact people's quality of life.
Otolithiasis is known to recur easily. Because of this, individuals experience dizziness and vertigo multiple times, making it difficult to find an effective long-term solution.
The causes of otolithiasis can be diverse, such as head trauma, ear infections, and age-related changes in the inner ear. However, the exact cause of otolithiasis is not yet well understood, making it difficult to find the most effective treatment method.
At INI Korean Medicine Clinic, it is viewed that conditions such as hwabyung, lingering colds, chronic fatigue, and neck stiffness can cause problems with lymphatic circulation in the neck region and create circulatory disorders throughout the head. Headaches may occur, and symptoms such as heaviness in the head and severe eye fatigue are frequent; when a circulatory disorder throughout the head develops, it also affects the inner ear, which can become a cause for otolithiasis to recur.
In addition, when kidney yang is deficient, or when liver heat or liver fire is excessive, it can directly affect the ears, potentially causing otolithiasis to occur.
Although causes vary, such as structural issues of the cranium and gaze problems, looking only at the ears does not resolve it; looking at the whole body increases the likelihood of resolving the problem.
In finding and resolving the cause of otolithiasis, a perspective that views the whole body is important. Doing so increases the likelihood of a solution. Depending on the diagnosis, receiving appropriate treatments such as acupuncture, Chuna, herbal medicine treatment, and acupoint massage often allows patients to feel an improvement in dizziness.
If otolithiasis recurs frequently or mild dizziness persists in daily life, consulting with a Korean medicine clinic is recommended.
Otolithiasis is not easily resolved by looking only at the ear;
looking at the whole body increases the likelihood of resolving the problem.
