Barotrauma
Barotrauma is a condition characterized by feeling blocked and aching in the ear when the air pressure changes rapidly. Barotrauma can usually be felt when traveling by plane. For infants and children, barotrauma is very painful because the ears of infants and children have not fully developed.
Barotrauma can also occur when you use elevators, mountains or diving.
Additional explanation
The symptoms
Common symptoms of barotrauma include:
- His ears are tired
- Sounds heard muffled because the eardrum cannot vibrate and make sounds like they should
- Earache
The cause
Barotrauma occurs when there is an imbalance between atmospheric pressure in the middle ear and outside air pressure, thus blocking the eardrum (tympanic membrane) from vibrations. Eustachian tubes function as a counterweight to atmospheric pressure.
When an airplane goes up or down, the air pressure outside the ear changes quickly, while the Eustachian tube cannot react quickly. When swallowing or yawning, the muscles open the Eustachian tubes and leave the middle ear filled with air.
Barotrauma can be caused by:
- Diving activities
- Hyperbaric oxygen chamber
- explosion
diagnosis
The doctor will ask about the patient's condition and will do an ear examination. The doctor will use an otoscope to assess the symptoms of barotrauma in which the eardrum is pushed outward or inward.
If the patient feels a sensation of rotation (vertigo), the structure of the inner ear may be damaged. Your doctor can recommend a hearing test (audiometry) to determine how well the patient is responding to sound and whether the source of hearing problems is in the inner ear.
treatment
Barotrauma usually heals with time. When symptoms persist, a person needs therapy to balance the pressure and relieve the symptoms. Treatments for barotrauma include:
- Medicine. The doctor will prescribe medication to control the disease and help the Eustachian tube work properly. These medications may include decongestant nasal sprays, oral decongestants, and oral antihistamines.
- Surgery Barotraumatologic surgery is rarely performed, but the doctor can make an incision in the eardrum to balance the air pressure.
prevention
Below you will find a list of things you can do to avoid barotrauma.
- It evaporates and swallows when the plane goes up and down. You can suck on candy or chew gum to activate the muscles and open the Eustachian tube.
- Reconsider travel projects. If possible, do not fly when you have a cold, sinus infection, nasal congestion or ear infection.
- Use a decongestant nose spray. If you have nasal congestion, use nasal decongestants for about 30 minutes to an hour before flying or landing, but decongestants are not recommended for children.
- Take allergy medicine. Take allergy medicine one hour before the flight.
Doctor's information
When to see a doctor?
Usually, you can do your own therapy to treat barotrauma. If a feeling of being blocked or uncomfortable in the ear lasts more than a few hours or if you have severe symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
What should be prepared before consulting a doctor?
- Write down all the symptoms found.
- Make a list of all medicines, vitamins or supplements that are consumed.
- Write a list of questions that you want to ask.
What will the doctor do during the consultation?
The doctor will ask several questions to help with the diagnosis, including:
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