Dr. Shyam Kalyan. N
Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
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Patient's Query
Hello,
I am going on holiday and traveling by plane tomorrow. I have recently had an ear infection which has gone but I am left with fluid in my ears. I have been taking decongestants and inhaling menthol crystals but my ears are still blocked. I am worried my ear drum will burst and that I will be in a lot of pain. I have heard about ear planes to regulate pressure in my ears when on the plane. Would you recommend these or is there anything else you can recommend other than chewing gum and swallowing?
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to iciniq.com.
I can understand your concern. In addition to chewing gums and sipping warm water while landing I would suggest you take a tablet of anti-inflammatory medicines, Trypsin, and Chymotrypsin topside combination two or three hours before landing. Applying Otrivin nose drops on both nostrils one hour before landing. Remember that landing is more harmful as far as middle ear pressures are concerned. also, the descent starts much before landing. The descent of the plane starts as early as 45 minutes before the actual landing. The idea is to prevent the pushing of the eustachian tube bellows into the tube during landing due to high pressure outside and low pressure inside the ear. To reduce the below I would suggest anti-inflammatory and nasal decongestants. Swallowing actively opens the tube which will equate pressures. Gums and warm water will help in swallowing rather than simply swallowing saliva. Do take other medicines as advised by your doctor.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you.
Regards.
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Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
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