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Dreading your next trip because you are one of the
hundreds of fliers who suffer from pain in the ears the minute your flight takes
off?
Ear problems are surprisingly common among travellers on airplanes. While
sometimes, they can be mildly annoying, at other times, there can be more
serious effects, including acute pain in the ears, ear discharge and even
temporary loss of hearing. However, fear not. Understanding why it happens as
well as taking a few precautions can ensure that your journey is pleasant from
take-off to landing!
Understanding blocked ears
The Eustachian tube is a membrane-lined tube, about the thickness of a pencil
lead, which connects the back of the nose to the ears. On one side (the ear), we
have a space surrounded by bone and closed off from the outside world by the ear
drum, and on the other side, a space that is open to the outside through the
nose and mouth. The closed space in the ear is lined by a membrane which
constantly absorbs air and this air is replaced from the Eustachian tube .Thus
air pressure outside the ear drum and inside the space remains equal.
When there
is a difference in pressures, the ear feels blocked. This is because if the air
in the middle ear is absorbed but not replaced, a vacuum forms which pulls the
eardrum inwards, causing a block as it cannot vibrate. It is the stretching of
the ear drum that causes pain.
This vacuum also pulls fluid into the space from the membrane, filling the
middle ear with fluid. This can be dangerous as when the fluid builds up, it
punctures the ear drum leading to discharge from the ear.
Common causes of Eustachian block
Common cold , nasal allergies and infection in the tonsils or throat.
How does flying cause ear block?
When your flight takes off or lands, there is a rapid change in the air
pressure. This causes swelling of the membranes, which does not allow the air
pressure inside the ear to equalise rapidly, which in turn results in blocked
Eustachian tubes and other ear problems.
How to unblock the tubes?
Swallowing unblocks the Eustachian tubes by activating muscles that open them. Chewing gum or sucking on hard candies helps this process.
Yawning works better. If yawning and swallowing both don’t work, pinch your nose shut, close the mouth
and make sure you blow air into the nose from the mouth very gently.
If the pain and block persists, see a doctor immediately to get decongestant
nasal drops and sprays to open the Eustachian tubes before fluid builds up in
the ears. In rare cases, if the build-up of fluid in the ear is too much, the
doctor may make a tiny puncture in the ear drum to release it. If the problem is
recurrent, tiny plastic or metal tubes are inserted into the ear drum to
equalise the pressure. These are called grommets—they fall out when the
Eustachian tube function recovers.
For babies
Sucking on a pacifier or feeding bottle during take-off or landing of the flight
works. It is a good idea to feed the baby during the flight. Make sure you don’t
allow the child to sleep during take-off and landing.
For people with chronic problems
Nasal decongestant drops and sprays can be used to open the Eustachian tubes.
Tips for Air travellers
· If you have had ear surgery or are seeking treatment for any problem
in your ears, ask your doctor if it’s okay for you to take a flight.
· If you are currently suffering from a severe cold, sinus infection, or
an allergy attack, consider postponing your trip.
· Keep a decongestant pill or nose spray handy. Use it approximately an
hour before descent to help the ears pop.
· Make sure you stay awake during take-off and descent.
· Carry chewing gum or a couple of hard candies that you can pop into
your mouth during your flight.
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