Common Ear Diseases and Their Management

Common Ear Diseases and Their Management

Sl. No	Disease Name	Signs & Symptoms	Modern Management	Ayurvedic Management (Karna Roga Chikitsa)
1	Otitis Externa (Swimmer’s Ear)	Pain, itching, discharge, hearing loss	Antibiotic/steroid ear drops, cleaning	Karnashula, Karna Srava – Taila pichu, Nirgundi taila, Vacha siddha taila, Basti
2	Otitis Media (Acute & Chronic)	Ear pain, fever, discharge, hearing loss	Oral antibiotics, myringotomy if needed	Karna Shula, Karna Srava – Saindhavadi Taila, Guggulu Tiktaka Kashaya, Gandhaka Rasayana
3	Tympanic Membrane Perforation	Hearing loss, discharge	Keep dry, surgery (myringoplasty)	Patra pottali sweda, Taila pichu, healing herbs like Yashtimadhu, Jatyadi Ghrita
4	Wax Impaction (Cerumen)	Fullness, hearing loss, tinnitus	Wax softeners, ear irrigation	Karna Baddhata – Ear drops with Apamarga kshara taila, Anu taila, Karna Prakshalana
5	Eustachian Tube Dysfunction	Ear blockage, popping sounds	Nasal decongestants, autoinflation	Nasya (Anu taila), Dhumapana, Gandusha, Neti karma
6	Tinnitus	Ringing/buzzing in ears	Counseling, masking therapy, ginkgo extract	Karnanada – Brahmi, Ashwagandha, Saraswatarishta, Medhya Rasayana, Shirodhara
7	Vertigo (Meniere's Disease, BPPV)	Spinning sensation, nausea, imbalance	Vestibular suppressants, Epley maneuver	Bhrama – Shirodhara (Brahmi taila), Nasya, Medhya Rasayana (Mandukaparni, Jyotishmati)
8	Otosclerosis	Progressive conductive hearing loss	Hearing aids, stapedectomy	Not specifically mentioned; Rasayana chikitsa, Pranavaha sroto shodhana
9	Barotrauma	Ear pain during flights/diving, hearing loss	Decongestants, autoinflation, surgical repair	Nasya karma, Swedana, Pranayama for pressure regulation
10	Foreign Body in Ear	Discomfort, pain, discharge, hearing loss	Removal under microscope	Gentle removal with ear douches (with Bilva kashaya), local taila application
11	Fungal Otitis (Otomycosis)	Itching, black or white discharge	Antifungal drops, cleaning	Karna prakshalana with Triphala decoction, Neem oil drops
12	Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)	Sudden hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo	Corticosteroids, hyperbaric oxygen therapy	Pranavaha sroto dushti – Medhya Rasayana, Vatahara chikitsa, Nasya
13	Presbycusis (Age-related hearing loss)	Gradual bilateral hearing loss	Hearing aids	Rasayana therapy – Brahmi, Shankhapushpi, Ashwagandha, Yoga, and meditation
14	Cholesteatoma	Chronic foul-smelling discharge, hearing loss, vertigo	Surgery (mastoidectomy)	Long-term care – Karnashuddhi, Gandhaka Rasayana, Raktamokshana, Vranaropaka karma
15	Acoustic Neuroma	Hearing loss, imbalance, facial weakness	MRI, surgery, radiosurgery	Rasayana chikitsa, Medhya herbs, supportive care, Shirovasti with Brahmi taila

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🪷 General Ayurvedic Treatment Principles for Karna Roga (Ear Disorders):

• Sneha Karma: Karna Taila Pichu (cotton swab soaked in medicated oil)

• Nasya Karma: To clear Kapha from Urdhva Jatru region

• Shirodhara/Shirovasti: In vata-related conditions (e.g., tinnitus, vertigo)

• Basti Karma: Vatahara Basti for chronic or deep-rooted disorders

• Prakshalana: Washing with decoctions like Triphala, Dashamoola

• Rasayana: Medhya Rasayana for nervous system support