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Open your Eustachian Tube |
8 April 2004 |
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Sebastian Hendricks,
Specialist Registar in Audiological Medicine
Department of Neuro-otology, National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, London WC1N 3BG
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In people without upper respiratory tract infections, allergic
rhinitis or cranio-facial malformations the eustachian tube between the
nose and the middle ear should open with swallowing. This equalises the
pressure in the middle ear compared to the outer ear canal and the
sensation of pressure disappears.
That is why drinking, chewing gum, blowing your nose etc can be helpful.
The treatment differs according to each patients, e.g. feeding a baby
during as- or descendent, chewing gum, taking decongesting nose drops etc.
In some cases, eg. see the above, this might not help.
A device called "Otovent" can be purchased from Pharmacists.
This is a balloon fixed to a connector that is placed in front of the
nostril to blow up the balloon.
This device has been found helpful in patients with chronic eustachian
tube dysfunction and can be helpful in the described problem.
Competing interests:
None declared |
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do not use pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) |
22 March 2004 |
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alain martinole,
general practitionner
France
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Myocardial infarction has been reported in a 28 year old man following pseudoephedrine
intake. It also has other cardiac,neurological,and neuropsychiatric adverse reactions
(see Revue Prescrire and Prescrire international )
Competing interests:
Association Mieux Prescrire.
No free lunch.
Healthy Skepticism. |
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An earful of pain |
21 March 2004 |
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Dr. Herbert H. Nehrlich,
Private Practice
Bribie Island, Australia 4507
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Both my wife's uncle and her father were pilots in WW II. They did not much like the
Frenzell manoeuvre because "Jerry" had devised it.
Yet it was very effective, and alternatives such as blowing up a balloon or chewing gum while grinning were less effective. The uncle is now convinced that no better trick
than the Jerry manoeuvre ever was invented.
Competing interests:
None declared |
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Blocked ears and flying |
20 March 2004 |
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Rosemary A Allan,
Consultant Radiologist
St Georges Healthcare NHS Trust, London, SW18 5PD
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The best solution I've found to avoid the pain and discomfort during
flight descent are some special earplugs which have a valve system that
minimizes the pressure gradient across the eardrum. These are easily
available in most larger Boots (especially the ones at major airports) for
about a fiver. This isn't a commercial plug as I can't remember their
exact name (something like 'ear-planes', but they are usually located in
the travel section along with the motion sickness remedies; drugstores in
the US stock a similar brand. You insert them about an hour before landing
and take them out once off the plane and I think they do smaller ones for
the under 5's. One pair is good for both outgoing and return journeys of
one trip, provided they don't get dust/sand in them.
These earplugs are very simple to use and really do make a huge
difference - I don't fly without them now.
Competing interests:
None declared |
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Mimic swallowing |
20 March 2004 |
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Biji T Kurien,
Senior Research Scientist
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
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Just swallow saliva one or more times as necessary until one feels
the ears pop open.
Competing interests:
None declared |
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Frenzel and going up and down! |
20 March 2004 |
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Steven M Rudolphy,
Principal
Mt Sheridan Medical Practice, Cairns, Qld 4868
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Apparently the Frenzel manoevre (Frenzel was a Luftwaffe commander)-
trapping air between your tongue and palate and raising your tongue while
closing the nose and glottis - is an efficient way to equalise the middle
ear.
Going up I suggest patients do this every 30 seconds for the first 10
minutes - planes go up fast and every 5 minutes on the way down about 40
minutes - when the announcement of starting the descent is made - descent
is slow.
No evidence though.
Competing interests:
None declared |
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Unblocking ears |
19 March 2004 |
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Darryl M Hoffman,
attending cardiac surgeon
Beth Israel Medical center New York NY USA 10003
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To complete the advice based on the scuba diving experience: equalise
EARLY and OFTEN! (also GENTLY)
Competing interests:
None declared |
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Pinch and blow |
23 December 2003 |
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Theo Fenton,
Consultant Paediatrician
Mayday Hospital, Croydon
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The "pinch and blow" method is used by descending SCUBA divers, and
is just as effective for descending airline passengers. Occlude both
nostrils by squeezing the end of your nose, then blow hard through your
nose (no air or, er, mucus will escape from your nose if you're squeezing
hard enough). You'll feel one ear pop, then the other - and great relief.
Competing interests:
None declared |
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Drink Water |
23 December 2003 |
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Aaron J Baxter,
2nd year medical student
Saba University, Dutch Antilles
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Nothing scientific here - drink water. I find that if I drink water
as I ascend or descend on my flights, it helps dramatically. In addition
to relieving that dreaded pain, it also keeps you hydrated. Eureka!
Competing interests:
None declared |
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Blowing up a balloon |
14 December 2003 |
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john McCormack,
gp
connemara, ireland
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Blowing up a balloon is great for co-operative kids.
Competing interests:
None declared |
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Open your Eustachian Tube
