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Suggest Treatment For Mild Pain In The Right Ear
Question: For the last several days I have been experiencing a mild pain from time to time in the right ear. Duration of pain episode is brief. My concern is that I am going on a 4-hour air trip tomorrow and wonder if there are any techniques I can employ to avoid a painful experience when descending for landing. YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
Please follow the tips mentioned in the answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,thank you for posting your query on health care magic.
I can understand your concern.
Eustachian tube is a tube which connects the middle ear with the nose and is responsible for equalization of middle ear pressure with the outer atmospheric pressure.In case of rapid changes in the outer atmospheric pressure like flight take-off and landing,this tube may get flattened and may not be able to equalize the middle ear pressure with the outer atmospheric pressure leading to negative middle ear pressure,ear pain,fluid collection in middle ear,etc.So it is neccesary to keep this tube open during flight take off and landing.
I would suggest you following tips to prevent painful experience in the ear during a flight journey:
1.)Yawn and swallow during ascent and descent. Yawning and swallowing activate the muscles that open your eustachian tubes. You can suck on candy or chew gum to help you swallow.
2.)Use the Valsalva maneuver during ascent and descent. Take a deep breath,then pinch your nostrils and keeping your mouth closed,breathe out (blow)forcefully. Repeat several times, during ascent and descent, to equalize the pressure between your ears and the airplane cabin.
3.)Don't sleep during takeoffs and landings. If you're awake during ascents and descents, you can do the necessary self-care techniques when you feel pressure on your ears.
4.)Use an over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray(like Xylometazoline) about 30 minutes to an hour before take off and landing.It will help to keep your eustachian tube open during take off and landing.
5.)Use oral decongestant pills cautiously. Oral decongestants (like Phenylephrine/Pseudoephedrine)may be helpful if taken 30 minutes to an hour before an airplane flight if you are suffering nasal congestion but it is to be avoided if you have heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder or high blood pressure and an enlarged prostate.
Hope this answers your query.I would be happy to answer if you have any follow-up questions.Take care.
Please follow the tips mentioned in the answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,thank you for posting your query on health care magic.
I can understand your concern.
Eustachian tube is a tube which connects the middle ear with the nose and is responsible for equalization of middle ear pressure with the outer atmospheric pressure.In case of rapid changes in the outer atmospheric pressure like flight take-off and landing,this tube may get flattened and may not be able to equalize the middle ear pressure with the outer atmospheric pressure leading to negative middle ear pressure,ear pain,fluid collection in middle ear,etc.So it is neccesary to keep this tube open during flight take off and landing.
I would suggest you following tips to prevent painful experience in the ear during a flight journey:
1.)Yawn and swallow during ascent and descent. Yawning and swallowing activate the muscles that open your eustachian tubes. You can suck on candy or chew gum to help you swallow.
2.)Use the Valsalva maneuver during ascent and descent. Take a deep breath,then pinch your nostrils and keeping your mouth closed,breathe out (blow)forcefully. Repeat several times, during ascent and descent, to equalize the pressure between your ears and the airplane cabin.
3.)Don't sleep during takeoffs and landings. If you're awake during ascents and descents, you can do the necessary self-care techniques when you feel pressure on your ears.
4.)Use an over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray(like Xylometazoline) about 30 minutes to an hour before take off and landing.It will help to keep your eustachian tube open during take off and landing.
5.)Use oral decongestant pills cautiously. Oral decongestants (like Phenylephrine/Pseudoephedrine)may be helpful if taken 30 minutes to an hour before an airplane flight if you are suffering nasal congestion but it is to be avoided if you have heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder or high blood pressure and an enlarged prostate.
Hope this answers your query.I would be happy to answer if you have any follow-up questions.Take care.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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