Going on vacation and having to fly by plane? Many people enjoy traveling by this type of transport, but they are saddened by the fact that their ears hurt when landing. And if you have to travel with small children? How can this problem be avoided and what can be done to prevent children from noticing it? This will be discussed below.
First, let’s figure out why the ears get stuck on the plane. The pressure in our body should be equal to the atmospheric pressure, then we feel good. Also, the pressure in the ear, where the eardrum is located, should also be equal to atmospheric pressure. It happens that everything is normal before the flight, but when the plane gains altitude, the atmospheric pressure becomes lower and this affects our body. Due to the pressure difference, the eardrum is depressed and this is manifested by congestion and pain in the ears.
You need to equalize the pressure. If there are no abnormalities in the structure of the ear, then this is quite easy to do. You need to open your mouth wide or make several swallowing movements. These simple manipulations will increase the diameter of the Eustachian tube and the pressure will equalize quickly.
But there are other cases when colds, nasal congestion, swelling, allergies interfere with this. Indeed, in this case, the Eustachian canal narrows and the movement of air through it becomes difficult. Of course, it is better not to fly if you feel bad, but it happens that there is no way to postpone the flight.
How to get rid of ear congestion while flying?
The most common tips when asked what to do if your ears get stuck on the plane:
- yawn;
- make several swallowing movements;
- chew.
Airlines offer candy and drinks to their passengers. Be sure to give the candy to a child who understands that you can suck on it. If the child is still very young, then he needs to be given a bottle.
There are other ways to get rid of ear congestion. You need to do ear blowing exercises. Close your nose and exhale without opening your mouth. Otolaryngologists are also advised to do with nasal congestion. You can breathe out into your nose and say “pa-ra-hod” by syllables. These exercises set the muscles in the Eustachian tube in motion. Perform them as soon as you feel the increasing congestion in your ears during takeoff and landing.
If you have a cold
In the case of a cold, when the nose is stuffy, you need to use the usual vasoconstrictor nasal drops, which during the flight will relieve you of mucus and make the passage in the Eustachian tube free. If it is an allergic rhinitis, then bring your usual antihistamines.
If you suffer from congestion in your ears during flights, then you can buy special ear plugs that themselves regulate the process of changing the pressure in the ears. You can buy them at pharmacies and airport shops, and search online.
How to clean up after the plane?
You can often see people among those who have left the plane clapping their ears. Most often these are young students, some of them still have ear pains after the plane. And some of them can’t put themselves in order for a couple of days. . At the same time, people say that before leaving, they fell ill, had a stuffy nose or suffered stress. What to do if your ears are blocked after the plane? Most likely, the measures described above were not taken.
- Insert your index fingers into your ears and make quick movements back and forth, up and down there.
- Also insert your index fingers and press down on the earlobes with your thumbs, following the same movements.
- Twist the auricles. So before “birthday people were congratulated”, the ears became red, but this massage is useful, regardless of the congestion of the ears.
Enjoy your flights, do not get sick!