On a recent long-haul flight (HKG-JFK), my eustation tubes closed up (I guess as can be expected), and I developed a moderately painful ear infection. I am on my third day of antibiotics (amoxicillan), coupled with pseudophedrin. The pain has subsided, but my ears still are congested.

For future reference, are there prophylactic measures one can take to prevent or reduce the risk of this happening?

I am no doctor but on a trip to Australia about ten years ago I and my travel partner experienced the same thing. Just another antibiotic...

The doctor was of no help, because he never flew... Anyway, a flight attendant gave us the best counsel ever: Chew something at take off, blow your nose regularily while pinching it to adapt to the pressure, wear ear plugs so as not to get the inavoidable draught.
We never had the problem again and we fly an average of 600 Ks a year.

I always take a strong decongestant before I fly to avoid these problems.

I've also had ongoing problems with my eustachian tubes. I've used several methods to avoid discomfort:

1. 30 minutes before takeoff, use Afrin nasal spray (or something similar). Right before takeoff, use the spray again. My ENT explained that the first time you use it will open it up, and the second time it will be able to get in even further. I know the stuff is addictive, and this is the only time I use it.

2. I always have a large bottle of water and find that drinking it is more effective for clearing my ears than the regular things people do (simply swallowing, holding nose and breathing out, opening mouth and wiggling jaw).

3. Sudafed/decongestant before takeoff (and if a very long flight, before landing, too).

4. In extreme situations where you can't unblock your ears and you're in pain - ask the flight attendant to bring you a styrofoam/paper cup with a scalding hot damp paper towel in the bottom. Hold the cup up to your ear against your head, and sometimes this will help loosen things.

Ultimately, my eustachian tube problems didn't end until I had sinus surgery. I haven't had a problem since.

I have the same problem that ATLpax has. Yawning will usually do the trick; otherwise it's the "breathing out my ears" method. I yawn so much that people assume that I'm tired or bored.

My doctor recommended using allergy medications/decongestants, but it really doesn't help.

I agree with the suggestions about nasal spray, but I would recommend NeoSynephrin - Mild Formula.

It does a perfectly good job of opening up your passages, but it's not nearly as stong or addictive as full-strength sprays such as Afrin.

Your congestion will clear up in a few days. The fluid in your ear is now sterile after the antibiotic treatment.

The use of decongestants for this is questionable. Works some of the time and usually when you need it. Try some but it may not work. If you fly with a cold things will always be worse.

My husband had the same problem. Would have major pain when landing. He tried almost everything from sprays to pills to those special earplugs and nothing would work until he saw an ENT.

They recommended equalizing the pressure on the way up - before they hurt and several times during the flight. Many people wait until it is too late. He blows his nose while pinching the end of it. Since then he has not had any pain.

Also - he was one to get constant ear infections. No he wears earplugs in the slower and everytime he goes swimming. The ones that are like putty (Mack's). Three years without any infections.

Good Luck

cejkwj

There are a number of ways to "clear" the ears that are used by scuba divers.

http://www.scubadiving.com/article/p...122-70,00.html
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lpt/ears.htm

and this .pdf is particularly useful...

http://www.dansa.org/downloads/The%2...0the%20Ear.pdf

birdstrike

Another thing I meant to mention - while I was having these problems my ENT suggested that I NOT sleep on flights. He explained that when we're awake we tend to clear our ears through one of the methods mentioned above (yawning, swallowing, etc.), but if the plane changes altitude while you're asleep, this process doesn't take place naturally.

I perforated an ear drum a few years back and suffer with recurrent ear infections as I play a lot of watersports. Flying used to be hell!

I came across some ear plugs that are meant to help you equalise the pressure in your inner ear (they have a hollow interior and a plastic bung that can move inside it) Not sure how scientifically sound the theory is (lots of boasting on the packaging though)! They do however work wonders for me. I would recommend them if you are prone to getting ear pain in-flight (not sure if they would help prevent infections though)

FYI: http://www.earplanes.com

Thanks. I checked out their website. I'd love to see the data to support their claim that 42 million people experience pain or discomfort when traveling in an airplane!

I perforated an eardrum once, please Lord never again. Hurt like hell.

Now when I fly: use moisturizing nasal sprays (Rhinaris) and Flonase to help reduce swelling; if I'm already a little congested, use a decongestant nasal spray (works much faster than pills); the cup with scalding hot towel I have used with success when all else fails.

Drink tons of water, and pray the pilot follows a gradual takeoff/approach path. (It is because of variations in the latter that I'm skeptical of claims by Earplanes, inc. since testing under standard conditions isn't likely.)

I thought the "Eustacion tube" was another name for the Jubilee Line.....

That's what I tought too, especially when discussing all the blockage. Very apropos.