![]() ![]() If you're prone to severe airplane ear and must fly often, your doctor may surgically place tubes in your eardrums to aid fluid drainage, ventilate your middle ear, and equalize the pressure between your outer ear and middle ear. If you have allergies, take your medication about an hour before your flight. If you're pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking oral decongestants. If you're a man older than age 50, you may experience serious side effects after taking decongestants containing pseudoephedrine (Actifed, Sudafed) such as urinary retention, especially if you have an enlarged prostate. However, if you have heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder or high blood pressure, or if you've experienced possible medication interactions, avoid taking an oral decongestant unless your doctor approves. ![]() Oral decongestants may be helpful if taken 30 minutes to an hour before an airplane flight. Use oral decongestant pills cautiously.Avoid overuse, however, because nasal decongestants taken over several days can increase congestion. If you have nasal congestion, use a nasal decongestant about 30 minutes to an hour before takeoff and landing. Use an over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray.You can purchase these at drugstores, airport gift shops, or your local hearing clinic. These earplugs slowly equalize the pressure against your eardrum during ascents and descents. If you've recently had ear surgery, talk to your doctor about when it's safe to travel. If possible, don't fly when you have a cold, sinus infection, nasal congestion, or ear infection. If you're awake during ascents and descents, you can do the necessary self-care techniques when you feel pressure on your ears. Airplane ear is also called ear barotrauma, barotitis media, or aerotitis media. Causes The air pressure in the middle ear is most often the same as the air pressure outside of the body. Don't sleep during takeoffs and landings. Medical Encyclopedia Ear barotrauma Ear barotrauma Ear barotrauma causes discomfort in the ear due to pressure differences between the inside and outside of the eardrum.Disturbances of breathing and loss of consciousness threaten life and can develop due to rupture of alveoli and pneumothorax. Repeat several times, especially during descent, to equalize the pressure between your ears and the airplane cabin. Symptoms may include pain in the ears, dizziness, hearing loss, pain in the paranasal sinus, nosebleeds and abdominal pain. 10 11 It is not unusual for other symptoms of decompression sickness to be present simultaneously, which can make diagnosis easier, but sometimes only vestibular symptoms manifest. Gently blow, as if blowing your nose, while pinching your nostrils and keeping your mouth closed. The usual symptoms are tinnitus, ataxia, difficulty with coordination, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and hearing loss. Use the Valsalva maneuver during ascent and descent.You can suck on candy or chew gum to help you swallow. Yawning and swallowing activate the muscles that open your eustachian tubes. Yawn and swallow during ascent and descent. ![]()
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