How to Get Rid of Sinus Pain While Flying
Flying is mentally and physically draining as it is; if you throw sinus pain into the mix, flying becomes unbearable. So why do you get sinus pain and pressure while flying? Let’s take a look at the causes and how to ease the pain.
What causes sinus pain?
It is essential to know your sinuses and what can cause sinus pain to understand why you suffer from sinus pain while flying. Your sinuses, or sinus cavities, are hollow spaces around your nose and eyes. They play a crucial role in keeping you healthy by producing mucus that traps and expels foreign substances like bacteria or viruses to keep them from multiplying and causing an infection. Sometimes these substances can cause your nasal passages to swell and cause blockages. These blockages allow the foreign substances to multiply, leading to pain and illness.
What causes sinus pain when flying?
During a flight, your body constantly reacts to pressure changes to stop additional pressure from building up. However, if you are suffering from an underlying sinus issue, your body may be slow to react. This slow reaction can lead to increased sinus pressure and pain. If flying causes you sinus pain and pressure, then you may be suffering from an underlying condition, such as:
- Acute sinusitis
- Chronic sinusitis
- Recurrent sinusitis
- Ear infection
- Cold
- Flu
Sinusitis is one of the most common causes of pain and pressure while flying.
Do I suffer from sinusitis?
When the sinuses become inflamed and swollen, the nasal passages cannot flush toxins out, and sinusitis or sinus infections occur. The buildup of toxins can cause painful symptoms like:
- Sinus pressure
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Reduced sense of smell
- Halitosis
- Nasal drip
- Facial pain
- Coughing
- Sore throat
Sinus pain and pressure can make life more difficult. They can cause you to miss out on things like work, school, family, and hobbies. If you’re suffering from a sinus infection or another kind of sinus issue and thinking about flying, you may suffer from worsened symptoms throughout the flight. We recommend not flying with a sinus infection if possible. At Frederick Breathe Free, we can solve your current sinus infection and underlying causes of chronic sinus infections. Let us help you discover a lifetime of pain-free flights.
Learn about Balloon Sinuplasty and how it can help solve your chronic sinus pain long-term.
Tips for Relieving Sinus Pain While Flying
We recommend not flying with sinus pain or infection if possible. However, we understand that life doesn’t stand still, so if you must fly while suffering from sinus pain, here are some tips to ease the pain and pressure:
- Chew gum when the plane is taking off and landing
- Swallowing water while taking off and landing can help relieve sinus pressure. If you don’t have water, just swallowing, in general, can help.
- Use decongestants or other medications before a flight to help relieve pain.
- Use the Valsalva Maneuver during landing
- Keep your mouth closed
- Close your nostrils with one hand
- Gently try to exhale out of your nose slowly
- Continue until the pressure lessens
These methods may provide temporary relief, but they will not be your long-term solution. At Frederick Breathe Free, we can help you achieve long-term sinus pain and pressure relief. We can diagnose and treat your issues’ underlying cause so that you will once again Breathe Free.