Ear Problems in Air-Travelling

Outline
Motion Sickness
Blocked Ear
Motion Sickness
A very common disturbance of the inner ear
that is caused by repeated motion
the movement of a car
the swell of the sea
the motion of a plane in turbulent air
Affects the sense of balance and equilibrium and
so the sense of spatial orientation.
Motion Sickness-Physiology
Riding in a car, boat, airplane, or space shuttle
Children ages are most likely to get motion sickness.
Susceptibility to nausea or vomiting
Heightened level of fear or anxiety
Poor ventilation in the vehicle
Sitting in the back seat or where you cannot see out the
window
Motion Sickness-Risks Factors
Motion Sickness - Symptoms
Nausea and vomiting
Paleness of the skin
Cold sweats
Dizziness and Headache
Increased salivation
Fatigue
Always ride where your eyes will see the same motion that your body
and inner ears feel.
In a car, sit in the front seat and look at the distant scenery.
On a boat, go up on the deck and watch the motion of the horizon.
In an airplane, sit by the window and look outside.
Also, in a plane, choose a seat over the wings where the motion is
minimized.
Do not read while traveling if you are subject to motion sickness, and
do not sit in a seat facing backward.
Do not watch or talk to another traveler who is having motion sickness
Motion Sickness- Prevention
Avoid strong odors and spicy or greasy foods that do not agree with
you immediately before and during your travel
Take one of the varieties of motion sickness medicines before your
travel begins, as recommended by your physician
Eat light meals or snacks that are low in calories in the 24 hours
before air travel
Avoid salty foods and dairy products before air travel.
Turn the air vent flow toward your face
Motion Sickness- Prevention
Medical Therapy
Anti-Histamine
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
To lessen the anxiety that some people have just
thinking about movement or motion sickness
Breathing Techniques
Deliberate breathing would help reduce anxiety
associated with motion sickness.
Motion Sickness- Treatment
Physiological discomfort during changes in
atmospheric pressure and middle ear
Mostly during flights
Ear Block
Ascent to Altitude:
As ambient pressure decreases with ascent, gas expands within
the middle ear
Air escapes through the Eustachian tubes to equalize pressure
As pressure increases, the eardrum bulges outward until a
differential pressure is achieved and a small amount of gas is
forced out through Eustachian tube and the eardrum relaxes
Ear Block - Physiology
Descent to altitude
Equalization of pressure does not occur automatically
Eustachian tube performs as a flap valve and allows gas to
pass outward easily, but resists the reverse.
During descent the ambient pressure increase, the flap valve
can stop the returning air into the middle-ear to equalize the
pressure.
Ear Block - Physiology
If pressure is not equalized
Ear block may occur and it is extremely difficult to re-open
the Eustachian tube
The eardrum may not vibrate normally and decreased
hearing results

Ear Block - Physiology
Discomfort - fullness
Ear Pain
Temporary impairment of hearing
Eardrum rupture and bleeding in sever cases
Ear Block - Symptoms
To avoid travelling with URTI
Ear Block - Prevention
Yawning or swallowing
Performing Valsalva maneuver
Nasal sprays: best used prior to descent
Pain medications: ibuprofen/ paracetamol
For infants / children:
provide a bottle / straw to suck : juice
Ascend to safe altitude where symptoms subside and then
slowly descend
Ear Block - Treatment
Occurs in situations when breathing 100% oxygen at altitude,
especially if oxygen was maintained during descent to ground
level.
Symptoms occur 2 to 6 hours after descent
Physiology: Oxygen in the middle ear is absorbed and creates a
decreased pressure
Prevention:
valsalva multiple times after altitude exposure to prevent absorption
Delay Ear Block?
Ear can cause very unpleasant experience to
traveler and therefore prevention is a most
Conclusion