Sinus pain when flying

RE: Sinus pain when flying

hiya,

yep i had this and funnily enough, coming into the same airport on 2 occassions (that one just outside orlando that they push us brits into). my head felt like it was going to explode... anyone evers seen the film "scanners"? like that! :Di can only think its a really sharp descent... my ears start going before the rest of my families too, so maybe i am more sensitive.

my doc gave me a nasal spray to use... perhaps give it a go an hour before landing... helps to clear the sinuses.

i sympathise... but at least you know once you are down, it goes away... strange eh.

RE: Sinus pain when flying

Hi Rosie

I guess I must just be very sensitive too - I always look around the plane when it starts but no one else seems to be in agony!!

Perhaps I will go to the doctor and get some heavy duty nasal spray next time I know I am going to fly. Vic Sinex is obviously too tame!

Celtia
X

RE: Sinus pain when flying

See the doctor, ear nose and throat problems can turn nasty when you're flying and people do get advised not to fly with serious sinus problems - one of my family once went ahead with it against advice and collapsed on the plane and I think there are risks to do with perforated ear drums, so definitely get something to clear it.

Sinus Agony

Hi,

I live in Dublin and I recently flew to London to watch a football game. I didnt realise either that I had a sinus condition. I never suffered with any flying symptoms but just as we were landing yesterday I thought I was having a brain haemorrhage. My head was in agony with pain all over especially in my left eye. I thought I was going to pass out with the pain it was that bad. I did have some alcohol that day before flying. Would that have made it worse. I will be very tentative to what happened the next time I fly, very scary.

I suffered with this too when I flew in October. Felt like my head was going to explode but my pain continued throughtout the whole flight practically and after landing I was left with vertigo (only on the way home) and then the day after I got an optical migraine - not a great end to the holiday.

I highly recommend hopi ear candling before flying. If you have a lot of congestion it might be worth having two treatments before. It isn't just the sinuses that cause this pain but congestion in the eustacian tube connecting the ears to the throat.

You could also try taking a decongestant before take off/landling. I found tiger balm quite helpful - I just smeared it across my forehead which seemed to take my mind of the pain especially when it warmed up!

The pain as you've described it is normally caused due to the changes in the air pressure in the sinus cavities. Our sinuses are normally hollow (act as sound chambers) - but can get inflammed and then air pockets can become trapped. As Lavendula has mentioned, this then causes the Eustacian tube to become congested. Flying changes the air pressure - which causes the air in the sinuses to expand - therefore causing all the pain.

I have had amazing success with Hopi Ear Candling for this problem. I have several clients who suffer with similar problems, but have to fly a lot with their work. They come and have a treatment a few days/1 week before flying and always report back to say that they had no problem. The more treatments they receive the less general sinus problems they suffer 🙂

I also recommend that they do lots of steam inhalation daily using a good natural decongestant oil (eucalyptus or ravensara based) and this can help with the trapped air and congestion. Also, cut down on all dairy and red meat as these are all mucus forming and will only make things worse.

Derekjb - Alcohol can sometimes make things worse due to the dehydrating effect of it.

If you suffer regularly from ear/nose/throat conditions it's best to get checked out by the GP first to make sure it's nothing serious.

I agree with all that CalmandClear. Didn't realise Red meat was mucous forming too but that doesn't affect me being a vegetarian. I will keep that in mind though so I can mention it to clients with sinus probs etc.

I have similar problems when flying, saw my GP about it and he gave me some drops to put into my ears. Problem solved.

Myarka.

After 3 decades as cabin crew, I would recommend buying a Vicks nasal inhaler (a little tube). As soon as you feel the plane start to descend, put it up one nostril, while closing the other with your hand. Breathe in slowly, then do the other side. Then, hold both nostrils closed and blow gently. If your ears do not clear, try again with the Vicks. Once they have cleared, leave it about 5 minutes, and then do it again (you probably won't need the Vicks once the Eustachian tubes are clear.) Keep clearing your ears all the way down every few minutes and don't let the pressure build up.

Judy

I used to have the same problem landing in some airports but not all. About 20yrs ago my Dr suggested Otravine Nasal Spray used 20 mins before landing - has worked like a dream ever since - now land anywhere pain free (unless I forget to take the spray with me of course )

Snus pain

Hi.
I have just returned from spain and i have to say the pain i experienced when landing in spain was so frightening. I thought i was going to die and that i was having a brain haemorrage. Reading all the posts has made me feel a bit better but im terrified this will happen again, i have to say it has never happened before either. I also experienced nose bleeds and this is my 2nd day back home but im still having headaches, is this normal???
Im paranoid that something else is going on in my head:confused:. Can anyone help.

Hopi ear candling is excellent treatment to have before and after your flight 🙂

Hi Playboybunny. Hope you had a nice holiday. I suggest you visit your GP for a quick check up to make sure everything is ok. It's most likely due to your sinus cavities and the pressure changes, but it always better to get medical advice at times like this 🙂

flying

Hi
I've also had fab results with hopi treatments prior to flights - clients love it and find it helpful.
Lesley
🙂

During Flight severe head pain (above eyes):

During Flight severe head pain (above eyes):
Solution:
- Before takeoff (around 10 minutes before)- Drink atleast 2-3 glass of water. And, in case last time you experienced a
"high" pain, have a pain killer (aspirin, paracetamol - Panadol 500 mg tablets) before the take off along with the water.
***Avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking on the day of flight.
- During takeoff (time between when the plane is on runway and when in air and the seatbelt sign is turned off):
(a) Tightly close both your ears (with your finger or ear buds) during take off and landing. During take off, try to close it till the seat-belt sign is turned off. (would be around 10-14 minutes)
(b) Chew gum while your ears are closed helps to remove pressure from your ears.
(c) After take off, have some light food like sandwich/biscuits/cake/wafers with water.
(Sleep well the night before the flight)
Take care!!