As an airplane ascends, cabin air pressure decreases; as it descends, pressure increases rapidly. The Eustachian tube (a narrow passage connecting your middle ear to the back of your throat) normally equalizes this pressure. If the tube is blocked—due to a cold, allergies, sinus infection, or even just sleeping during descent—the pressure cannot equalize. This creates a vacuum in the middle ear, pulling the eardrum inward or outward.
| Timing | Action | |--------|--------| | | Avoid flying if you have a congested cold or ear infection. Use a decongestant nasal spray (e.g., oxymetazoline) 30-60 minutes before descent (consult your doctor). | | During ascent | Swallow frequently, chew gum, or suck on a hard candy. | | During descent (most critical) | Do not sleep. Perform the Valsalva maneuver : Gently pinch your nose, close your mouth, and try to exhale softly (like blowing up a balloon). Repeat every few minutes. | | For infants | Encourage bottle- or breastfeeding during descent. The sucking/swallowing action helps equalize pressure. | barotrauma airplane
What is it? Barotrauma is physical tissue damage caused by a difference in pressure between the inside of your body and the outside environment. During airplane travel, this most commonly affects the ears (otic barotrauma) and, less frequently, the sinuses. As an airplane ascends, cabin air pressure decreases;