Flights can do all sorts of strange things to the human body and there are plenty of ‘cures’ bandied around. Takeoffs and landings can be an unusual sensation for even the most seasoned flier. Many Britons may well remember the time when boiled sweets were handed round to prevent ear pain. This unpleasant sensation felt at takeoff and landing is what’s known as ‘aeroplane ear’ and is an ache that people experience due to the changes in air pressure when flying.
These days fliers sometimes turn to another solution but ‘flying doctor’ Ben MacFarlane has revealed why this is an error.
MacFarlane, author of Holiday SOS: Lifesaving Adventures of a Travelling Doctor, revealed the no-no in an article for MailOnline.
He wrote than plane passengers should not resort to chewing gum in a bid to beat ear pain because it could prove a choking risk.
“Forget about chewing gum to stop your ears hurting at take-off or landing,” the doctor penned.
“Chewing makes us swallow more air – just like fizzy water. It’s also a choke-risk in turbulence or bumpy landings.
“Wiggling your lower jaw and doing some big fake yawns sorts your ears out more safely.
According to Earex ear care expert, Dr Henderson, ‘aeroplane ear’ is pretty common as “travel and the exposure to potential ear problems often go hand in hand”.
The pain is a result of changes in pressure. This aching or blocked feeling in the ear is caused by the tubes inside the eardrums which are trying to adapt to this atmospheric change.
The pressure inside and outside your ear is different. The change pushes the eardrum in, stretching it and causing you pain.
While the change in pressure happens to everyone, some will experience more pain than others.
Doctor Peter Barrett recommend the Valsalva manoeuvre (pinch the nose, close the mouth and blow out).
He wrote in The Telegraph that this “will usually persuade the Eustachian tubes to open.”
Barrett added: “If they are blocked because of infection or allergic thickening of the walls, decongestants or antihistamines might help.”
Experts have cautioned that it’s important not to be asleep when the plane takes off and lands.
Boots pharmacist Angela Chalmers said: “Try not to sleep during take-off and descent as you will not be swallowing as frequently and this can lead to blocked ears.”
Potential later health issues include dizziness, ear infections and eardrum damage; or for the worst-case scenario, nosebleeds and severe hearing loss can also occur.
