help please
 

i am not a pilot, but a f. flyer.

12 months ago i had a heavy head cold. coming into land the pain in my head was very, very painfull. to this day my head feels as if it is in a bucket of water.

research shows i have barotrauma, what i would like to know is,

a. is there any medication i can take?

b. how long is it going to continue for?

my advice to you guys is, if you have a cold, dont even think about turning up for work. i have really suffered with this problem.

thanks in advance. john.

Hi John,

if this discomfort has persisted for the last 12 months, then I would suggest you see a ENT(ear nose and throat) and certainly a GP to assess it as soon as is practical. It certainly should not last that long.

everyone gets barotrauma at some stage, and some people are more prone than others. The most significant pressure change occurs in the immediate 2 minutes and approximately 8000 feet, after that there should be moderate change until landing again which will be the last 8000 feet and will certainly be in the last 15 minutes of the flight.

Google "Valsalva maneuver" for more information.

hope this helps you, and go see a GP asap.

Is this barotrauma in the sinus cavity or in the middle ear? All it means is that you have unequal pressure in one or the other when compared with the pressure outside your head. I believe the correct terms are sinus baratrauma or otitic baratrauma.

There are various ways of equalising this pressure from the "pinch the nose and blow gently down it" to medical intervention.

If you are still getting problems you must see your GP and get referred to an Ears and Nose man who will know how to advise you.

Heatonjohn,

Assuming that you have self-diagnosed, please get a proper diagnosis, preferably from an ENT specialist.

As for a. and b., once you see a specialist, they can advise you.

To avoid this happening, (a) don't fly with a head cold, (b) If you have to, use a good nasal decongestant. Worked a treat last time I had to.