2006-10-31 04:02:52 · 15 answers · asked by GEORGE A S 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
You ear hurts because of the unequal pressure either side of your eardrum. An airliner is pressurised to ressemble an altitude of about 8,000 feet which means that in effect you are at a lower pressure than you were on the ground.
This means that there is higher pressure behind your eardrum than in front (on the outside) and you eardrum is trying to "burst" outwards. The pressure either side of your eardrum is equalised by air passing from the atmosphere up a small tube from the back of your throat to the back of your ear. This tube is called the Eustachian Tube. The tube is very narrow and sometimes it needs to be "opened" by you swallowing or working your jaw muscles - this is when your ears "pop" as the pressure is equalised.
If the pain persists then you may have a blocked Eustachian Tube - this sometimes happens after an infection or a cold.
2006-10-31 04:05:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Short answer: Pressure
Your middle ear is filled with air. The pressure has to be equalized with the pressure of the outer ear (ear canal). When you go up in a plane the outer pressure changes quickly and the imbalance in pressure causes pain because the ear drum is actually sucked inward. Chewing helps because it forces open the Eustachian tube (connecting the middle ear to the throat) which will equalize the pressure.
2006-10-31 12:16:32 · answer #2 · answered by k l 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Friend,
Air exerts pressure on everything .At high altitudes air pressure is more.So inside an airplane cabin the pressure is kept to a certain optimum level and thats why you cant open an airplane door or window.Most people have an eye,ear or nose pain because they have not been yet accustomed to this particular pressure .
2006-10-31 12:12:34 · answer #3 · answered by JACKREX 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because of pressure changes when the airplane take-off.So, if u forgot to bring chewing gum, swallow your saliva(-_-").That will helps to equalize the pressure inside your ears so that you will not feel pain.
Hope that helps you.
Happy Halloween!!
~(0.o)~
2006-10-31 12:15:45 · answer #4 · answered by Dark SOuL 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The change in air pressure causes the air and fluid in your sinus cavity to expand and apply pressure on your ears.
The action of chewing can help to open up the passage ways and release some of the pressure, so always travel with gum!
2006-10-31 12:06:29 · answer #5 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The change in air pressure and resulting pressure on your ear drums.
2006-10-31 12:11:04 · answer #6 · answered by aint_no_stoppin_us 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just chew some gum when taking off, you'll be fine when the pressure equalizes
2006-10-31 12:04:15 · answer #7 · answered by myothernewname 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
During the plan take off, open you mouth as much as you can to take off the compression of the air.
2006-10-31 12:12:32 · answer #8 · answered by Komsat/sad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your frail human body is not used to the pressure change while taking off, chew gum fool
2006-10-31 12:10:57 · answer #9 · answered by dms_91 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your ears is having virus visit a doctor.
2006-10-31 12:05:35 · answer #10 · answered by Tarzan 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋