Flights and colds
“They’ve done studies you know. 60% of the time, it works every time”. (Anchorman)
So I have a travel toolkit that I put together for patients and highly recommend these evidence based treatments and preventative strategies. My family and I also follow the recommendations as closely as possible when we travel…practice what you preach right?
However…
No one is perfect. Things happen. You do your best.
I recently flew and could tell that something was off about a day after arriving. I had just the tiniest tickle in my throat and some very mild muscle aches. By the time of my return flight, I had the mucous and mild cough and my ears felt full.
But I did all the right things leading up to this vacation right?!?
I continued to follow the toolkits guidance (no alcohol the night before flying, slept in instead of pushing an early wakeup to go to the gym before the airport), but I knew I needed something more to prevent severe ear pains or headaches from the pressure change in flight.
This is what I did:
1. Took a Tylenol Cold and Sinus tab (not my 1st choice-more on that in my previous post about OTC decongestants, but all I could find in that airport) about 1 hr before boarding—>decrease the swelling in the mucosal tissue in my nose and throat and around the Eustachian tubes
2. Wore my earbuds the entire flight—>slowing the pressure change between cabin pressure and my middle ear space
3. Popped my ears many (many) times throughout the flight—>helps the middle ear pressure match cabin pressure (if you don’t know how to “auto-insufflate” start practicing now or purchase something like the Ear Popper device to travel with)
4. Chewed gum the entire flight—>pumping action of my jaw helping to adjust the middle ear pressure
5. Drank plenty of water—>dry cabin air can increase sensation of discomfort in nose/sinuses/ears
6. Wore a mask—>I just felt better any time I needed to cough having at least some protective barrier for others
Here’s the point. Despite our best intentions, we will sometimes get sick on a trip and there are things we can do above and beyond the original plan to try to avoid ear problems like fluid buildup or rupture on a flight.
Listening to your body and being proactive is key. Don’t wait until you are already in trouble!
*I have no financial relationship with Ear Popper
