subject: International Flights And Ear Pressure [print this page] Passengers on international flights, especially those on long haul flights, often have a few complaints that are quite common. The most extensive is of course that of absolute boredom where one has to remain seated in one place for hours together and if one is the active sort then this kind of an arrangement certainly does not go down well. While these problems are more mental than physical, there are some issues that trouble passengers more than others.
The problem of ear pressure for example is a problem that many face. While some simply choose to ignore it others tend t over react and get alarmed. There is no reason however to be particularly alarmed with this problem as the remedies for it are quite simple and one certainly does not need a doctor to tell you what you can do to tackle it.
While these remedies are simple ones meant for simple side effects of ear pressure, there is always a possibility for more serious implications and in such cases it is always best to inform the cabin crew about your condition so that they may make the right decisions as to what needs to be done. For those passengers who already suffer from a ear problem, even more important is talking to a doctor much before taking international flights and ruling out any cause for worry. In such cases doctors are in a better position to suggest remedial or preventive steps.
Most people experience very mild symptoms while travelling on long flights. These include a little discomfort in one or both ears, a blocked ear sensation similar to ones nose being blocked due to a common cold, a ringing sound in the ears, or simply a feeling of the head being elevated. These are all common symptoms and one does not need to worry too much about them.
To do away with these symptoms there are many simple remedies that one could try out. One is to try and swallow hard a few times. This usually does the trick and takes away the blocked feeling from your ears. Those who travel in a car at high speeds or at high altitudes also face this issue and the swallowing technique is the simplest one that actually works. Another measure is to chew gum. Yet another way to lessen this problem is to simply open ones mouth really wide or to fake a yawn. All these simple techniques help in keeping ear pressure at bay.
If however, during international flights, one feels that the ringing sensation in their ears is too much to bear, or in case of dizziness, vomiting, or in extreme cases bleeding from the ear, it is always better to alert the cabin crew and inform them of your problem.
