We explain.
Question :When I travel by plane, I always get bad earaches when I land. It shoots in and radiates to my neck. I swallow, yawn and chew gum, but nothing helps. It's much worse with me than with other people, I suspect. As a child I had tubes in my ears several times, maybe that has something to do with it. What can I do? Y.B., AMSTERDAM
Answer from ENT doctor: 'The middle ear cavity is connected to the outside world through the Eustachian tube. This Eustachian tube is closed at rest; however, with each swallowing movement the tube will be pulled open so that the middle ear can be ventilated and the pressure in the middle ear becomes equal to the air pressure. If the Eustachian tube is not functioning properly, the negative pressure in the middle ear will not be corrected and will create negative pressure in the middle ear, pulling the eardrum inward. With prolonged negative pressure, fluid will form in the middle ear instead of air. You have been given eardrum tubes for this in the past.
When flying, pressure changes occur in the middle ear. If the Eustachian tube does not function properly, negative pressure is created. When this occurs in a very short period of time, it results in earache. There is no surgery to improve the function of the Eustachian tube. You can, however, use short-term nasal drops with anticongestants, such as Otrivin. These help to decongest the mucosa, which improves air passage through the Eustachian tube and may help to overcome the pressure difference.'
