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What Could A Sharp Pain Behind Jaws During A Flight Descent Indicate?
During a descent on a recent flight, I felt a sharp excruciating pain in the space just behind the back of the jawbone, at the top of the neck. first the right side then the same thing happened to the left side. it felt as if something inside my head was bulging.Please advise???
Thu, 26 May 2016
Hello,
I can understand your concern. Our skull has many empty spaces called sinuses that are filled with air that help to make the skull lighter. When we are on the ground, the pressure of air in these sinuses and the atmospheric pressure are in the equilibrium.
However, when we are in the air, the pressure equilibrium between the sinuses and the atmosphere changes. When the flight descends, the sinuses contract making the air in the sinus causing severe pressure on the bones nearby sinuses causing discomfort and pain. Usually, as soon as we land on the ground, the pressure achieve equilibrium and the pain disappears.
If this is very uncomfortable to you every time you fly, you can take an Acetaminophen 500 mg or Ibuprofen 400 mg about half and hour before the flight lands. This will help in relieving pain. People with sinus problems can feel the pain intensely than others.
I hope this answer helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. Let me know if you have further questions.
Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
I can understand your concern. Our skull has many empty spaces called sinuses that are filled with air that help to make the skull lighter. When we are on the ground, the pressure of air in these sinuses and the atmospheric pressure are in the equilibrium.
However, when we are in the air, the pressure equilibrium between the sinuses and the atmosphere changes. When the flight descends, the sinuses contract making the air in the sinus causing severe pressure on the bones nearby sinuses causing discomfort and pain. Usually, as soon as we land on the ground, the pressure achieve equilibrium and the pain disappears.
If this is very uncomfortable to you every time you fly, you can take an Acetaminophen 500 mg or Ibuprofen 400 mg about half and hour before the flight lands. This will help in relieving pain. People with sinus problems can feel the pain intensely than others.
I hope this answer helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. Let me know if you have further questions.
Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
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