Relieve Ear Pressure After Flying: Causes & Remedies

Barotrauma is a discomforting feeling in the ears usually caused by rapid air-pressure changes. Quick airplane descents puts pressure on the middle ear. According to FlightHealth.org, although stopped-up ears are not life-threatening, they can make you feel very uncomfortable. When the altitude in the cabin changes the body's cavities expand slightly, which may cause a slight ear ache. For relief, try taking a pain reliever before and during the flight. Stopped-up ears are usually temporary, but you can perform a few simple steps to ease your discomfort.

Things You'll Need

• Hard candy or throat lozenges
• Chewing gum
• Decongestant

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Instructions

• 1

  Sucking on hard candy will help unclog ears.

  Suck on hard candy or throat lozenges to encourage swallowing, which will help push open the Eustachian tubes, which run from the nose to the middle ear.

• 2

  Yawning will help your ears reach the correct pressure.

  Yawn. This also helps open the tubes in your ears.

• 3

  Gum will help your ears.

  Chew some chewing gum.

• 4

  Exhale with a hard, quick breath.

• 5

  Drinking might help clogged ears.

  Drink. Swallowing will push air into the middle ear.

• 6

  Hold your nose shut with your thumb and forefinger. Inhale through the mouth and gently blow through your nose while keeping it pinched. This will push air into the middle air to equalize pressure. Just be careful not to blow too hard or you may damage your eardrums.

• 7

  Take a decongestant. This medicine, which is used to treat nasal congestion, can come in the form of a pill or nasal spray. Follow the dosage directions on the package.