2023-04-27 08:58:59
How not to have an earache on a plane?
The pain in the ears or the feeling of clogged ears on the plane comes from pressure change. “On takeoff, the pressure is more progressive than on landing.says Dr. Georges Dib, ENT doctor at the Eure-et-Loir Elsan private hospital. And we must not forget, either, the possible air holes that can block the ears. »
The first thing to do when ears close by plane is swallowof yawn or of to chew gum. “You can also place a plastic cup over each ear, holding it firmlysuggests Dr. Dib. This is enough, sometimes, to rebalance the pressure. »
How to avoid pressure in the ears on the plane?
If the simple and natural solutions as stated above or if the wearing earplugs equipped with a pressure filter are not enough, you can practice the Valsalva maneuver. It balances the pressure inside the ears. There valsalva maneuver is a technique that dates back to the 18th century. It bears the name of its inventor: the Dr Antonio Maria Valsalva.
How to do the Valsalva maneuver?
Here are Dr. Dib’s tips for performing the Valsalva maneuver correctly:
1. Inhale deeply through your nose.
2. Then block the nose using the thumb and index finger.
3. Keeping your nose closed, exhale through your nose and into the eustachian tube to push air into the middle ear.
The valsalva technique helps restore the right eardrum during take-off, landing and in the event of air pockets during flight. However, Dr. Dib warns: “The Valsalva maneuver does not hold up over time. It must therefore be repeated 10 to 20 times otherwise the eardrum will re-clog. »
Done gently, valsalva maneuver does not risk causing injury. “However, specifies the ENT doctor, if its realization is painful, it must be stopped. »
Valsalva maneuver: are there any disadvantages?
In the event of a cold, sinusitis or any other ENT infection, the valsalva maneuver is not necessarily recommended. For what ? “The viruses and microbes present in the nasal secretions will be sent into the Eustachian tube, explains Dr. Dib, which can then trigger an ear infection. »
Precautions should also be taken in case of respiratory allergy. “The nose is swollen. It clogs up, warns Dr. Dib. It is therefore absolutely necessary to have balanced your allergy locally or generally before taking the plane. Otherwise, there is a risk of triggering a forget the barotrauma. »
The valsalva maneuver in children
Although not complicated to make, the valsalva maneuver is not necessarily obvious in children, because it is not natural. “It does indeed seem complex to have a child perform it before the age of 10says Dr. Dib. Except, if the parents have shown him how to practice it at home and he has practiced before! »
The other advantages of the Valsalva maneuver
The realization of the valsalva maneuver is not only useful on the plane! It can also be done by divers. ” But bewarewarns the ENT doctor, it should not be performed during the descent because its realization would increase the pressure, but only during the ascent to the surface, respecting the decompression stops! »
The valsalva maneuver has utility in other areas as well. It is used in cardiology to reduce the heart rate, especially in case of tachycardia. It can also stop hiccups and help detect a inguinal hernia.
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