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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Pain Behind The Ear During A Flight Descent?

During decent on a recent flight I experienced sudden and severe pain on the side of my head above and behind my ear. It lasted for several minutes. My husband noticed me pressing the side of my head, eyes closed. I could barely discern, and answer, his questions; (what s wrong? Are you OK?) as the intensity of the pain was all encompassing. The pain ended shortly after we left the plane. This had happened one other time, a couple years ago on another flight. That time the pain was in my forehead. It felt like a burr being pulled behind my eyebrows. That time I attributed it to sinuses, though the pain was severe. I haven t had any episodes since, but I am planning a long flight and don t want to relive that experience!
Tue, 1 Mar 2016
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain it seems that you have a barotrauma that is due to changes in the atmospheric pressure on the ground and at high altitude and the changes effects the air filled cavities in the bones also known as Sinuses..

The barotrauma leads to pain and discomfort in the sinus areas as well as earache due to inflammation in the mucosal lining leading to pain..
Nothing to worry as it is temporary and gets resolved once you return back to ground level..

You can follow a few remedies like chewing chewing gum when in plane ..
You can use ear plugs..
If pain is disturbing and severe you can take anti inflammatory painkiller like Ibuprofen..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.
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What Causes Severe Pain Behind The Ear During A Flight Descent?

Hi.. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns.. As per your complain it seems that you have a barotrauma that is due to changes in the atmospheric pressure on the ground and at high altitude and the changes effects the air filled cavities in the bones also known as Sinuses.. The barotrauma leads to pain and discomfort in the sinus areas as well as earache due to inflammation in the mucosal lining leading to pain.. Nothing to worry as it is temporary and gets resolved once you return back to ground level.. You can follow a few remedies like chewing chewing gum when in plane .. You can use ear plugs.. If pain is disturbing and severe you can take anti inflammatory painkiller like Ibuprofen.. Hope this information helps.. Thanks and regards. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.