Sinusitis FAQ

Any tips from frequent flyers?

Question:

The impression I get, and I’m a sufferer too, is that different things work for different people. Some swear by equalizing earplugs called Earplanes, which don’t seem to help me. Someone suggested holding plastic cups with damp tissues inside over your ears, but I’m not sure which would be worse – the pain or the embarrasment

This is what they do when they have to fly people who’ve perforated their eardrums diving back to the US from Grand Cayman. My wife has tried virtually everything, Earplanes help but they’re not perfect. What does seem to do the job for here is to take antihistimines, in her case Chloratripalon 12mg starting at least 12 hours before the flight and keep taking them as the package doseage until after landing.

Response:

I remember one time, coming back from Cancun to Miami (on American), my right ear just blocked up, and I was extremely uncomfortable.

So were the people who had to look at your fucking olive-loaf-shaped head.

Response:

"Popping" your ears as described is very helpful. Also, check with your Dr. about using a decongestant like "Sudafed: to help keep the tubes and sinuses clear.  Helps a lot with the opposite problem when SCUBA diving. Ramprat – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Maybe someone could help.  I’ve discovered that when my flight is descending and through the entire process of landing, my ears build up w/ quite a bit of pressure, which is VERY painful.  I’ve tried yawning a hundred times and chewing gum, both of which have been suggested to me but DO NOT work.  Anyone know of anything that might help??  I will have to be flying quite a bit in the near future so any advice would be appreciated.  :-) loop="true"

Response:

The following technique is entirely safe and effective even for infants. It has never failed me yet. 1. Fold a paper towel into a thick but small pad/wad (say 1"). 2. Then either: a).  Using an implement, soak the wad in boiling (or very hot) water. Carefully put this wad into the bottom of a plastic cup. Or, . . . b). Pour boiling water over the pad. Then simply drain off the excess water. 3. Immediately place the opening of the cup over the affected ear. Press the cup firmly against the side of the head. (Do not allow the water to trickle toward the ear as it may still be hot.) Then simply wait. As the pad cools off the pressure/volume in the cup naturally decreases. The resulting suction gently and slowly re-equalizes the pressure in the inner ear, painlessly. Happy flying!

Response:

I remember one time, coming back from Cancun to Miami (on American), my right ear just blocked up, and I was extremely uncomfortable. I tried to usual pinch your nose and swallow, chew gum, etc but nothing helped. The FA brought me a small hot towel scented with lemon, to put over my ear—that provided some temporary comfort untill I saw my doc the next day to get that ear flushed out—and haven’t had a problem since. If this is a reccouring problem, your MD has an ear solution (that is stronger than the non-prescrip stuff you can get at your local pharmacy) that he or his nurse/PA can do the ear flush with. I put up with this off and on for several years, and finally decided to see th doc, and I am glad that I did. Took care of the problem and never have had a blockage in that ear since! Maryanne

Response:

Maybe someone could help.  I’ve discovered that when my flight is descending and through the entire process of landing, my ears build up w/ quite a bit of pressure, which is VERY painful.  I’ve tried yawning a hundred times and chewing gum, both of which have been suggested to me pinch your nose, close your mouth and blow.  Opens up the tube between your inner ear and mouth cavity hence equalising pressure

just make sure you do it "gently"

Response:

As soon as you hear the engine slow down (descent start), pinch your nose and push air, very slowly increasing pressure until both ears "pop". (usually one will pop before the other). Then, you do this every couple of minutes throughout the descent. As long as the pressure difference between the cabin and your inner ear remains small, it is relatively easy to equalise (by pushing air). But if you wait too long and the pressure difference is too great, it becomes very difficult. You can practice this on the ground as well.

I also concur with this suggestion. My problem is a little different, however. I suffer horrendous sinus pain across my forehead during descent, which feels like needle pokes. I’d used "Earplanes" successfully for several years, but they became annoying because they caused the inside of my ears to itch like crazy. Once, I forgot the Earplanes and asked for advice from a flight attendant who prescribe the same procedure as JF. It works so well for me, I no longer use the Earplanes.  As JF said, however, you must do it often to minimize the pressure buildup. –Tom To e-mail me, remove no-junk from address.

Response:

What works really well for me is swallowing, then opening my mouth as wide as it will go at the same time.  It sounds hard, but once you’ve practiced doing it it becomes very easy.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Maybe someone could help.  I’ve discovered that when my flight is descending and through the entire process of landing, my ears build up w/ quite a bit of pressure, which is VERY painful.  I’ve tried yawning a hundred times and chewing gum, both of which have been suggested to me but DO NOT work.  Anyone know of anything that might help??  I will have to be flying quite a bit in the near future so any advice would be appreciated.  :-) This subject comes up regularly (you can do a search at www.deja.com to see the old threads). The impression I get, and I’m a sufferer too, is that different things work for different people. Some swear by equalizing earplugs called Earplanes, which don’t seem to help me. Someone suggested holding plastic cups with damp tissues inside over your ears, but I’m not sure which would be worse – the pain or the embarrasment The act of chewing won’t help, it’s frequent and/or rapid swallowing which does. For that reason sucking a hard mint or two is better, or sipping water frequently. Whatever, it’s important to start the remedy as soon as the descent begins – there will be a change in engine noise and a mild braking effect. If pressure is allowed to build then it’s more difficult to clear, maybe with the Valsaver manoeuvre, or worst case it won’t clear at all – muy bad. Yawning does help, but I’ve never been able to do that on demand. Occasionally I have to stick a finger in and wiggle/poke but it’s not medically recommended for reasons I forget. If you’re prone to ear blocking, then NEVER fly with a cold. I have found most airlines to be sympathetic and waive rebooking charges although some need to see a note from a doctor. Good luck Brian

Response:

Maybe someone could help.  I’ve discovered that when my flight is descending and through the entire process of landing, my ears build up w/ quite a bit of pressure, which is VERY painful.  I’ve tried yawning a hundred times and chewing gum, both of which have been suggested to me

pinch your nose, close your mouth and blow.  Opens up the tube between your inner ear and mouth cavity hence equalising pressure

Response:

Maybe someone could help.  I’ve discovered that when my flight is descending and through the entire process of landing, my ears build up w/ quite a bit of pressure, which is VERY painful.

As soon as you hear the engine slow down (descent start), pinch your nose and push air, very slowly increasing pressure until both ears "pop". (usually one will pop before the other). Then, you do this every couple of minutes throughout the descent. As long as the pressure difference between the cabin and your inner ear remains small, it is relatively easy to equalise (by pushing air). But if you wait too long and the pressure difference is too great, it becomes very difficult. You can practice this on the ground as well.

Response:

Maybe someone could help.  I’ve discovered that when my flight is

descending and through the entire process of landing, my ears build up w/ quite a bit of pressure, which is VERY painful.  I’ve tried yawning a hundred times and chewing gum, both of which have been suggested to me but DO NOT work.  Anyone know of anything that might help??  I will have to be flying quite a bit in the near future so any advice would be appreciated.  :-)

This subject comes up regularly (you can do a search at www.deja.com to see the old threads). The impression I get, and I’m a sufferer too, is that different things work for different people. Some swear by equalizing earplugs called Earplanes, which don’t seem to help me. Someone suggested holding plastic cups with damp tissues inside over your ears, but I’m not sure which would be worse – the pain or the embarrasment The act of chewing won’t help, it’s frequent and/or rapid swallowing which does. For that reason sucking a hard mint or two is better, or sipping water frequently. Whatever, it’s important to start the remedy as soon as the descent begins – there will be a change in engine noise and a mild braking effect. If pressure is allowed to build then it’s more difficult to clear, maybe with the Valsaver manoeuvre, or worst case it won’t clear at all – muy bad. Yawning does help, but I’ve never been able to do that on demand. Occasionally I have to stick a finger in and wiggle/poke but it’s not medically recommended for reasons I forget. If you’re prone to ear blocking, then NEVER fly with a cold. I have found most airlines to be sympathetic and waive rebooking charges although some need to see a note from a doctor. Good luck Brian

Response:

Maybe someone could help.  I’ve discovered that when my flight is descending and through the entire process of landing, my ears build up w/ quite a bit of pressure, which is VERY painful.  I’ve tried yawning a hundred times and chewing gum, both of which have been suggested to me but DO NOT work.  Anyone know of anything that might help??  I will have to be flying quite a bit in the near future so any advice would be appreciated.  :-)

loop=true”

Response:

“

Filed under: Sinus Pain

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