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Nov  2008

Tips to ease ear problems while flying

     Washington: People who become uncomfortable due to ear problems while travelling in a plane can relieve themselves with some easing tips to make their journeys comfortable. The House Ear Institute explained that the problems were caused due to the change in air pressure that led to the feeling of fullness or pressure in the Eustachian tube and middle ear chamber can try. However, here are some tricks that could help make air travel more pleasant such as:

• Chew gum, suck on candy, drink liquid or yawn vigorously during the descent, to stimulate swallowing and equalize pressure in the middle ear.
• We swallow less when asleep, so children often wake up crying when the plane begins to descend due to the uncomfortable build-up of pressure in their ears. Parents can prevent their child's discomfort by waking them at the start of the descent.
• Place a pacifier or bottle in an infant's mouth during take off and landing, to encourage the baby to swallow.
• Avoid flying with an ear infection, or when congested due to a sinus infection, a cold or an allergy attack.
• If congested and flying is unavoidable, it may help to pretreat with pseudoephedrine and/or a decongestant nasal spray before takeoff.
-Nov 2, 2008