Assess your state of health before flying
Certain infections, medical conditions or recent operations may mean you should not travel at high altitudes. Please do not hesitate to consult your GP to discuss your general state of health before planning a domestic or long-haul flight.
Not to mention that even a simple cold or an untreated tooth problem can make your flight just as difficult. In the case of a cold, for example, the Eustachian tubes become inflamed, which prevents air from circulating. The eardrums are then subjected to excess pressure, which can cause sudden pain in the ear. This is known as barotraumatic otitis. To avoid this, consult your doctor before departure to obtain a decongestant.
Finally, people who wear hearing aids should take extra care. It is best to switch off your hearing aids during take-off and landing to avoid any discomfort caused by changes in pressure.
If you wish to take medication to prevent feeling unwell on a flight, always seek advice from a healthcare professional who will be able to take your medical history into account.
How can you prevent air travel sickness?
Air sickness is similar to travel sickness. You may experience nausea and vomiting, headaches, sweating or even dizziness. All these symptoms are linked to the fact that the inner ear is destabilised by the aircraft’s various movements, particularly acceleration, turbulence and landing…
To minimise these symptoms, you can choose a seat near the wings. This is where you’ll feel the least disturbance during the flight. If this seat is by the window, so much the better. Looking into the distance and focusing on the horizon can help stabilise the signals between your senses and your inner ear.
Recline your seat as far as you can and try to stay as still as possible. Avoid reading or writing; instead, use headphones to relax with some soft music or focus on the story of an audiobook. Using slow, deep breathing techniques can also help.
Good to know: to minimise the risk of suffering from air travel sickness, it is best not to eat a heavy meal before the flight and to stay well hydrated by drinking water rather than fizzy drinks, which can increase bloating.
Finally, avoid drinking alcohol to cope with your fear of flying. This is because consuming alcoholic drinks can contribute to the development of thrombophlebitis.
How can you protect your ears from changes in pressure?
When travelling by plane, you may also experience altitude sickness, similar to the symptoms of acute mountain sickness.
As the journey draws to a close, the aeroplane’s descent in preparation for landing can cause a ringing or whistling sensation in your ears, which may progress to severe pain and hearing loss. This is caused by the increase in cabin pressure, which exceeds the air pressure in the middle ear.
To protect your eardrums from this discomfort, there are a few simple things you can do. All you need to do is yawn, swallow, have a drink or chew some chewing gum. If the symptoms persist, the Valsalva manoeuvre can also help clear your ears. To do this, take a deep breath in and then breathe out gently whilst pinching your nose shut.
As for very young children who still find these reflexes difficult, the best thing to do is to give them something to drink to encourage swallowing (breastfeeding or a bottle) or to give them a dummy to suck on.
Other ailments that can spoil your journey
On board the aircraft, the air can be very dry and air-conditioned, which can cause the mucous membranes in your nose, mouth and eyes to dry out. To avoid dehydration, make sure you drink enough water and adjust the air vents if necessary.
You may also feel cold during a night-time flight. If you haven’t brought any warm clothes, don’t hesitate to ask the cabin crew for a blanket.
Finally, sitting still for several hours can cause your limbs to go numb, which in some cases can lead to venous thrombosis. That is why it is recommended that you get up at least every two hours to stretch and move your legs. People at risk should also wear compression stockings during the flight.