What is the extreme pain I get when the airplane I am on is descending?

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John

As others have said, it's caused by the change in cabin air pressure as the plane descends. Cabin altitude on airliners is typically in the 5,000-8,000 foot range, depending on the aircraft and its cruising altitude. This isn't a huge change, so most people don't have serious ear problems.

Due to the physiology of the inner ear, there's almost never a problem equalizing the pressure change during climb, but many people have problems during descent. There's a tube that runs from your inner ear to your throat called a eustachian tube. The eustachian tube is supposed to allow air to enter and escape from the inner ear. If it's blocked (eg. by swelling caused by a cold or flu), or improperly formed, it may not work right.

For most people, moving the lower jaw around, talking or chewing gum is enough to relieve any discomfort. If those suggestions don't work for you, try a valsalva: pinch your nose closed, keep your mouth closed and try to exhale gently. This will force a little bit of air through the eustachian tubes to your inner ear, equalizing the pressure. You can hear the air enter your ear and feel a little "fullness" in your head. Swallowing will return everything to normal.

If you're not able to do this on the ground before you fly, there may be something wrong with your inner ear or eustachian tubes, and you should see an ear, nose and throat doctor before you fly again. If the condition is serious enough, it can result in a burst eardrum, which is *extremely* painful and might result in permanent hearing damage.

Some people also get relief by using a vaso-constricting nasal spray such as Genasal or Afrin. These cause the tiny blood vessels in the nose and sinuses to shrink, which can help to relieve pressure on the eustachian tubes. Look for the active ingredient Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride.

Tripwire

That's your sinuses trying to equalise with the pressure in the cabin as it increases. I have that too, and it's excruciatingly painful. As the plane gains altitude after takeoff, the air pressure in the cabin is decreased and the sinuses or air pockets in your skull have less air in them. But, when the plane is coming in for a landing, the reverse happens and these places can become really painful if the outside air is now forced back into the sinuses which are now at a lower pressure than the cabin. I've felt at times like someone was ramming a red hot screw driver into the bone between my eyes upon landing.

oreocrumbles

Pressure building up in yuor ears. Its best to equalize. Swallowing or yawning usually does this.

origamimark

This is the pressure readjusting from 35000 ft to sea level or whatever. Maybe you ought to discuss this with your doctor as you may have something wrong.

elaeblue

I dont know what it is called but I know how to make it better or to go away completely. Take a piece of bubble gum on plane and just before descent start chewing it keep chewing until you land. Since you seem to have lots of trouble it may not make it go away but it works for me every time.

rob123dev123

I get the same thing, its just your ears not draining properly. Your Eustachian tubes are probably blocked. Just take a decongestant before the flight. At least 12 hours before..

NotoFroto

If it makes you feel any better, I know exactly what you mean.... It often hurts so badly, I end up putting my head on the tray table. Its horrible... what normally helps me is some advil right before landing... For the person saying chewing gum helps, It doesnt!!!

abbafan

This could be down to pressurisation in the plane's cabin when landing everyone gets the blocked ear syndrome, but your case does seem alittle extreme. I would go to your GP and ask to have a scan before you fly again, just incase their is an underlying factor that hasn't been recognised. Sorry don't want to alarm you, but it's best to be safe then sorry.

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