Sinuses...
 

Having done a little more long haul work travel in the last 18-24 months than my long term average I have started to notice that my sinuses are taking a bit of a battering.

On a purely experimental basis it seems the best way to minimize the risk of infection and reduce general discomfort also minimizes the fun (!) of flying F/J, namely:

- No alcohol (especially spirits or red wine)
- No red meat
- No desert (ie sugar)
- Keep seat slightly angled when asleep (avoids reflux induced irritation)
- Glass of water every hour
- Breath through damp facecloth every few minutes (no need to dress like Louis XIV)
- Occasional use of OTC steroid nasal spray
- Do everything humanly possible to keep the cabin temperature low (hard to do on BA)

Just wondering if other (far more frequent flyers) here have any magical methods of managing their maxillary mucosa?

It's something I'm also conscious of, since of the all the relatively minor health conditions this has the capacity to stop you flying. Landing with blocked sinuses is absolutely no joke at all, it really is torture, and I have some OTC remedies in the CWS bag with me at all times, even though this in a context of taking zero unnecessary items when travelling.

I don't feel I need to go through quite the lengths as the list above, not least because it seems to be willing on the symptoms, however I don't drink alcohol at all, I keep hydrated and try to eat in modest portions. I think the point I would make is that you need to be doing this well before departure rather than during the flight. The one thing that I find does help is the occasional use of a Vicks or Olbas inhaler, particularly in the mornings.

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Sudafed decongestant tablets.

Several of my colleagues have undergone an endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure (drilling the sinus cavity) and are very happy with the results .

It may be a teeny bit extreme as a first course of action though...

^

I find that inhaling Olbas oil [few drops on a tissue] during take off and descent/landing really helps [along with the usual chewing and popping your ears].

Many years ago I was on a flight where we landed really fast and I had a terrible cold - ended with me not being able to hear anything for about 8 hours. Ever since then, if I don't do the above, it gets painful [e.g. if I'm asleep during descent].

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I always carry Sudafed and ibuprofen for flights (pseudoephedrine from behind the counter available in the US and UK). And I prefer juice or electrolyte drinks over water for solid hydration.

Also, just plan for a good saline sinus rinse when I get home or to a hotel. Most pharmacies have ready made saline solution that you can just shoot straight in there... fun times... alternatively, keep a sinus rinse kit with you and be prepared for local water. I've resorted to chasing down demineralised or distilled before for this purpose (and to clean out my travel nebulizer)

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I've always suffered from blocked sinuses and find that swimming makes a huge amount of difference - by which I mean "with-your-head-under-water-and-breathing-out-your-nose" swimming. Undoubtedly off-putting for everyone else, but the balanced pressure between your skull and the water helps to 'blast everything out'....

If I can get a good session in soon after/the morning after a flight then I'm a lot better off.

I used to get very sore ears when flying which more often than note left me partially deaf on arrival and in pain for several days especially when I blew my nose. It was so uncomfortable it put me off air travel for years.
After a few years break I started again and have had no problem since. I reckon I may have damaged something and in hindsight should probably have consulted an ear, nose and throat specialist at the time.

Well, the last two years have been wonderful flying long haul exclusively on the 787. The cabin interior is very well controlled, and the humidity levels are much better than the 767 and 777, which can be brutally dry, especially when it's hot.

Now that my regular route is back to using the 767 as of this month, ugh, I'll be carrying Tylenol "Cold and Sinus" tablets with me if I need to use them. It's not a common affliction for me, but it does happen occasionally.

I feel your pain.

Yeah! I try to go for whatever I can find that isn't from concentrate. Or as close to 100% juice as possible. Expensive but worth it. I have finicky standards on juice.

Some very good advice here as I too end up with a blocked nose.