A condition known as ear barotrauma causes ear pain as a result of pressure changes.
The eustachian tube, which helps control ear pressure and connects the middle of each ear to the nose and throat, can become blocked, resulting in ear barotrauma.
It’s important to understand the differences between acute (occasional) and chronic (recurring) cases so you know when to seek medical attention. Occasional ear barotrauma is common, especially in environments where the altitude changes. While the condition isn’t harmful in some people, frequent cases may cause further complications.
Symptoms
- dizziness
- general ear discomfort
- hearing difficulties or a slight hearing loss
- an ear that feels full or congested
Symptoms may worsen if the condition continues untreated for a sufficient period of time or if the situation is particularly severe.
- ear pain
- as if you were underwater, there was pressure in your ears.
- nosebleed
- hearing difficulty or impairment ranging from mild to severe
- ear drum injury
Hearing loss from ear barotrauma is almost always transient and curable once the cause has been identified and treated.
Causes
One of the causes of ear barotrauma is eustachian tube obstruction. Normally opened by yawning, the eustachian tube assists in restoring equilibrium during changes in pressure. When the tube is blocked, symptoms appear because the pressure inside the ear is different from the pressure outside the eardrum.
The most frequent cause of this condition, ear barotrauma, which is also known as airplane ear, is altitude changes, which can occur during any ascent or descent of an aircraft.
The following scenarios could also result in ear barotrauma:
- scuba diving
- hiking
- driving through mountains
Diving ear barotrauma
The first 14 feet of a dive are frequently where divers are most at risk of suffering ear barotrauma, and symptoms usually appear right away or shortly after the dive. Diving is a common cause of ear barotrauma because it puts you under significantly more pressure than you would on land.
Divers are more prone to middle ear barotrauma due to the drastic changes in pressure underwater.
While diving, descend gradually to avoid ear barotrauma.
Risk factors
People who have active infections, allergies, or colds may be more susceptible to ear barotrauma.
Children’s eustachian tubes are smaller and positioned differently than adults’, which makes it more likely to become blocked. When infants and young children cry on an airplane during takeoff or landing, it’s frequently because they are experiencing the effects of ear barotrauma.
Ear barotrauma in infants
Because of their smaller and more angular eustachian tubes, which have a harder time equalizing sound, infants and young children are more prone to ear barotrauma.
When an infant experiences an altitude change and exhibits symptoms of discomfort, distress, agitation, or pain, it’s likely that they have ear barotrauma.
Complications
Although complications, especially in chronic cases, may occur in some people with ear barotrauma, this condition is typically transient and if left untreated may lead to:
- ear infections
- ruptured eardrum
- hearing loss
- recurring pain
- (Vertigo) persistent dizziness and unsteadiness
- Otolaryngological and nasal bleeding
Prevention
- descend slowly while diving
- When you experience barotrauma symptoms, you should chew, swallow, and yawn to alleviate symptoms.
- If you’re going up in altitude, breathe out through your nose.
- Never dive or fly while wearing earplugs.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT
Homeopathy is one of the most well-known holistic medical systems; the choice of remedy is based on the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using a holistic approach; this is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the signs and symptoms from which the patient is suffering.
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