Allergies or a cold can cause 'airplane ear'

Measures such as using a nasal decongestant spray within 30 to 60 minutes before take-off can prevent symptoms

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Q: Why do my ears hurt during flights, and what can I do about it?

When you fly thousands of meters above ground, changes in cabin pressure can be unpleasant - causing potential issues such as abdominal bloating, headaches and, yes, earaches.

"Airplane ear" is an umbrella term for a variety of symptoms caused by rapid changes in altitude and air pressure, said Dr. David Gudis, an otolaryngologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Centre.

For some people, it is no more than a clogged feeling that temporarily muffles hearing. For others, the condition may cause intense pain and even damage the eardrum.

"The good news is that it generally resolves on its own," Dr. Gudis said. "It can just be very uncomfortable until it does." This can take anywhere from seconds to days, he added.

WHY DOES AIR TRAVEL HURT YOUR EARS?

In the space behind your eardrum, or the middle ear, is a structure called the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. The Eustachian tube is responsible for keeping the air pressure between the middle ear and the environment the same.