Don’t Let An Irritating Symptom Interrupt Your Flying
Having a bad ear block truly is debilitating. It consumes your thoughts, making it difficult to fly the plane.
If you’re flying single pilot, do your best to clear your ears and avoid flying again for a few days. When you fly with another pilot, let them know what’s going on, so you can plan your descents as best as you can.
The next time you have a bad cold, give yourself plenty of time to get better, avoid rapid descents, level off when you need to, use a decongestant, or just don’t fly at all.
Have you had a bad ear block in flight? How did you fix it? Tell us in the comments below.
Become a better pilot.
Airplane Sinus Pain: How To Avoid Ear Pain During Air Travel
Its common for some people to experience ear pain during air travel, with the pain at its worst when it descends to land. Even though the pain usually goes away after landing, the pain can become worse as the aircraft when it lands, making it important to avoid airplane ear if you can. In addition to experiencing pain, its not uncommon for an individual to experience ringing in the ears, dizziness, blocked ears and have problems hearing. The pain that is experienced is caused by the unequal pressures that develop within and outside the ear as the plane descends to land. When this occurs the air pressure inside your ears differs from the air pressure outside your ear, and this stretches the eardrum. Normally the pressure inside the inner ear and the air pressure outside the ear are equal. The pressure does not vary enough to cause you any trouble. When a plane is descending is when the air pressure changes the quickest. This is because the air pressure is at its highest when you are near the ground, and this lessens as the plane goes higher. Unfortunately, planes move rapidly, so there isnt enough time for the pressure to equalize during landing.
While its unlikely that the pressure will cause a perforated eardrum, if you are experiencing severe ear pain while flying or if your hearing does not return to normal after a flight, make an appointment with your healthcare professional.
Am I Suffering From Sinusitis
Sinusitis or rhinosinusitis occurs when the tissue lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed and swollen. The inflammation can prevent the sinuses from draining and flushing out toxins. This buildup of toxins can cause any of the following symptoms:
The pain and pressure from sinus infections can really put a damper on your life, work, and family. If you are thinking of flying and have a sinus infection, you may suffer from pain throughout the flight. We recommend not flying if possible while suffering from a sinus infection. At Gulf Coast Breathe Free we can help solve your current sinus infections as well as the root causes. By treating the cause, we can help you avoid a lifetime of miserable flights
Discover today how balloon sinuplasty at Gulf Coast Breathe Free can help solve your sinus issues long term.
Although we recommend not flying with a sinus infection, we know it can be unavoidable sometimes, so here are some tips.
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How To Relieve Sinus Pressure While Flying
A few tips to ease sinus pain and pressure while flying include:
- Chew gum during both takeoff and landing to avoid sinus pressure
- Swallowing water or just swallowing in general can help you to temporarily relieve sinus pain and pressure during takeoff and landing
- Use decongestants or other medications to avoid sinus issues while flying
- During landing you can take the following steps to help relieve sinus pressure and pain – Keep your mouth closed – Close your nostrils with one hand – Gently try to exhale out of your nose slowly – Continue until the pressure is lessened
While these methods may achieve temporary relief, the best way to get long term relief is by visiting Gulf Coast Breathe Free. We can treat the underlying causes of your sinus issues so that you will be able to Breathe Free again!
Air Travel And Your Sinuses Is It Safe
You may not be aware, but traveling on a plane when you have a severe cold or sinus infection can be quite painful. Air travel and sinuses dont always mix well, especially when you are feeling under the weather. Inside the planes cabin, air pressure changes during lift-off and when the plane descends which affects the air outside and inside your head. While this isnt usually a comfortable feeling to begin with, if you have congested sinuses, this can be a painful experience. However, its not just the changes in pressure you need to worry about. Increased infectious agents and low moisture can increase your chances of sinusitis. Inside the plane, everyone is in close quarters and the air is ridden with bacteria and viruses, so its no surprise that flying can contribute to your sinus troubles. Luckily, there are ways to balance air travel and your sinuses for those times when you have no choice but to fly.
While its advised to avoid air travel when you are sick, in some cases, it may be unavoidable. When this occurs, it is crucial to tackle this problem head-on before and during the flight. If you are looking for ways to balance air travel and your sinuses, check out these helpful tips that can help minimize or prevent sinus pain and pressure while flying.
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Is It Necessary To Go To The Dentist When Feeling Sinus Pressure
If you arent too sure of the primary cause of your toothache, its best to visit your dentist. It is also best to go to the doctor if the symptoms persist after using expectorants and other prescribed drugs. The dentist will check to see the cause of the pain by x-raying the teeth to check for abscesses and cavities. If the teeth in question look healthy and do not show any signs of dental infections/problems, you most likely have sinus pressure or infection.
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Preventing Sinus Pressure On Airline Flights
Flights on an airline tend to conjure feelings of excitement, However, if you suffer from sinus pain flying could be a nightmare.
The majority of travelers enjoy airline flights, partly for the excitement involved with the whole experience in the airport, and partly because of the other-worldly feeling of flying above all the cities, towns, and landscape which are literally miles below. Then too, the excitement of traveling to a distant destination, possibly to visit loved ones or friends whom you havent seen for years, adds another very powerful appeal to the experience of flying.
However, there is at least one thing that most people find somewhat annoying regarding airline flights, and thats the inevitable sensation of having sinus pressure, or the need to clear your ears while in the air. This is especially true during takeoff and landing, where both those sensations are most noticeable.
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When To See A Doctor
Usually, ear problems related to a sinus issue arenât severe and donât last long. Most of the time, they go away on their own. See your doctor if:
- You have a fever.
- You have head, face, or ear pain, or swelling that doesnât get better with non-prescription medication.
- Your symptoms last for more than a week or keep coming back.
Show Sources
American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery: âSinusitis â âDizziness and Motion Sickness â and âSinus Pain: Can Over-the-Counter Medications Help?â
Divers Alert Network: âEars and Sinuses — Instructions for Equalizing Ears and Sinuses.â
Harvard Medical School, Womenâs Health Watch: âWhat to Do About Sinusitis.â
Tampa Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates: âSinusitis.â
Lindsey, H. ENT Today, July 2009.
Why Flying With A Sinus Infection Hurts
First, if youre sick, and especially if youre coughing, you probably shouldnt be flying. Not only is it better for you to stay home and rest, its also better to keep from spreading your illness to others. That said, if you suffer from chronic sinusitis and/or severe allergies, you may end up needing to fly with a sinus infection or blocked sinuses.
The pain of flying with a sinus infection comes not from the infection directly, but from the changes in pressure during takeoff and landing.
The sinuses are air-filled cavities within your head, and they connect to the back of your nose through narrow drainage pathways. Normally, these pathways allow mucus and air to flow out of the sinuses and through the nose, but they can become blocked by severe congestion or a sinus infection. One of the consequences is that the air pressure inside your sinuses can no longer equalize with the air pressure around you.
The same principle applies if your ears become plugged due to your sinus infection. Your middle ear connects to the back of your nose via the eustachian tube, which can become blocked by congestion, preventing pressure equalization.
When you fly and the air pressure around you changes, the pressure within your blocked sinuses or ears stays the same, causing a great deal of pain. The four tips below focus on relieving this blockage to reduce the pain of flying with a sinus infection.
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Sinus Pressure Points On The Hands
The soft tissue between your thumb and index finger may serve as a pressure point for sinus relief. If you cant find the area by touching it, place your hand flat on a table and bring your index finger and thumb together. The point is beneath where the skin rises up highest.
To access the point, open your hand up and use the thumb and index finger of your opposite hand to squeeze the area for a few minutes
Your fingertips may also be able to act as pressure points for sinus relief. To activate any of these points, simply press and momentarily squeeze each the end of each finger.
There are also pressure points along your hands right next to your fingernails. These points are just beside the nail, in the corners where the base joins the skin.
The specific points are as follows:
- Outside corner of the thumbnail
- Outside corner of the index finger
- Outside corner of the middle finger
- Inside corner the ring finger
- Inside and outside corner of the pinky
Sinus Pressure Points On The Ear
You may be able to relieve sinus pressure by pressing on the ear gate, which is found on top of the ear, just in front of the lobe. Use your thumb and index finger to press and hold the point for about five minutes.
Another pressure point sits at the bottom of the ear, behind the ear lobe. This is called the windscreen. Hold for three to five minutes on both sides of the ear. It may offer you relief from both sinus pain and ear pain.
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Air Travel Colds And Sinus Infections
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
People with severe colds and sinus infections know that air travel can be painful. During a flight, the air pressure in the sinuses and middle ear must equilibrate with the cabin pressure inside the airplane, which changes during ascent and descent. Certain infections and other conditions can cause blockage in the Eustachian tube or in the sinus openings, and this restriction to the flow of air can prevent the equalization, or equilibration, of pressure and result in pain. Examples of conditions blocking the equilibration of air pressure in the ears or sinuses include congestion caused by colds or allergies, middle ear infections, and sinus infections.
Pain is not the only symptom that may occur when the Eustachian tube is blocked. The pressure changes inside the middle ear may sometimes lead to vertigo , tinnitus or hearing loss. In severe cases, rupture of the tympanic membrane may occur.
Most doctors would agree that avoiding flying when you have an active sinus or ear infection is the best way to prevent pain and possible complications, but if flying is a necessity, decongestants can be used in an attempt to overcome some of the blockages to air circulation. Both systemic and topical can be used to treat congestion. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be used to help control discomfort.
Drink Lots Of Water Before During And After The Flight
The dry air and low pressure in plane cabins can wreak havoc on your sinuses, so its important to stay hydrated. Some experienced flyers suggest drinking between five and eight glasses of water before flying. Drinking water not only ensures proper hydration levels in the body but more importantly preserves a moist, healthy nasal system.
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Stop Earache & Ear Pain
When there is pressure in the sinuses it can put a lot of pressure on the ears which leads to discomfort and even severe pain. Its okay to relieve the pain by taking over the counter medications such as Ibuprofen, or Acetaminophen. If pressure or ear pain lasts more than a few days its better to seek medical aid to make sure there isnt another underlining problem. The sinuses could be infected which is why the pressure wont let up. You may need to treat a sinus infections.
How To Fix The Splitting Pain Of In
You’ve probably experienced ear block when climbing or descending when you’ve had a cold. It’s an extremely painful experience and can lead to some nasty physical consequences. Here’s what you need to know…
We spoke to Steve Martin, a professor of aerospace medicine and manager of the altitude chamber at the University of North Dakota to find out more.
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How To Relieve Ear Pressure When Flying
Have you ever been flying and noticed a baby crying during takeoff or landing? Its mostly likely due to discomfort caused by a change in ear pressure as the airplane ascends or descends. Youve probably even experienced the phenomenon yourself.
Lets take a closer look at what causes ear pressure problems when flying, what signs to watch for, and how to prevent pain and discomfort.
A Night Of Good Sleep To Get Relief From Sinus Pressure
Allow the body to get a good nights sleep for 8-9 hours to reduce the sinus pressure and speed up the recovery.
When you are asleep, the body is able to produce more white blood cells that can fight off the infection.
Avoid activities or beverages that can over-stimulate just before going off to sleep. Hence, it is essential that you sleep for the whole night to get relief from sinus pressure.
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Avoid Caffeine And Alcohol
If you know youre someone who regularly struggles with getting in your eight glasses of water a day, its best to stay away from caffeine and alcohol. Youre probably thinking, Well arent those beverages that contain water? Yes, but theyre both diuretics which make you lose more water than you take in. Drinking hot herbal tea is a better alternative especially if you breathe in the steam, itll keep your sinuses moist throughout the flight. So stay hydrated and stay away from the coffee and wineon your trip at least.
Travel With A Negative
If youve never heard of a negative-ion generator, youll be surprised to know that they do wonders for the air quality of rooms. In high concentrations, negative ions clear the air of mold spores, pollen, dust, bacteria, and other hazardous airborne particles. They do this by attaching to the all the positively charged particles above, making them so heavy they fall to the ground and are no longer airborne. Once these particles are no longer airborne, they cannot be inhaled or cause respiratory issues.
Symptoms are sometimes hard to distinguish. A couple of hours after your flight, you may feel fatigue or stuffy. Remember, it could just be the flight or it may also be the beginning symptoms of a common cold, allergies or chronic sinusitis. To find out how to differentiate between the three, read our article here.
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Sinus Pressure Points On The Back Of The Head And Neck
There are areas around the neck and base of the skull that present an opportunity to relieve sinus pressure. The pressure points in these areas are located in delicate, cavity-like areas where the neck and skull adjoin. There are two such points.
One of them is the specific point where the neck meets the skull. It is right in the middle of the neck/head, near the base of your hairline.
To find it, place your finger at your hairline and move it either up or down until you find the cavity. By squeezing the point with your thumb for about five minutes, it may help clear sinus pressure.
The other area is found on the neck close to the base of the skull. The points are located at the highest point of the neck, just below the base of the skull.
To find it, place both of your thumbs at the top of your neck point and slowly separate them until you feel the cavities . Access the point by pressing slightly in and up and holding for about five minutes.
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Dizziness And The Sinus Infection
Dizziness is not the most common symptom of a sinus infection, but its definitely one of the more serious and it is exacerbated by flying. The reason for that is that the pain and pressure behind the eyes can cause temporary blurred vision, headaches and even migraines, all of which can lead to a dizzy, disoriented feeling.
When flying, the sensation is aggravated by the changes in altitude, which affect cabin pressure during takeoff and landing. Infections of the middle ear, which are caused by fluid buildup behind the eardrum, can also cause a great deal of pain, nausea and even vertigo.
Taking rest when not feeling well because of sinusitis can do extensive help. Doing activities can just worsen dizziness and sometimes causes nausea. Just lie down and relax, according to Sinuscure.org.
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