Ear pain after the flight

2011-04-15T12:01:00.000+07:00

Have you ever experienced about ear pain after the flight?
This topic might help you about the this problem.

For the ear anatomy, middle ear connects to back of the nose via the Eustachian tube. This tube equalises the pressure between middle ear and outside which make you have a good hearing. This mechanism works by movement of the muscles around the tube. You might notice when you open your mouth,yawn, chew or blow your nose then feel "pop" in the ears.

Sometimes the Eustachian tube gets swollen and can not work properly, causing imbalance of the pressure. That circumstance would cause ear block, ear pain or some degree of hearing loss.

There are many conditions evoke that swelling. Most common is the infection of respiratory tract such as catching cold, sore throat, sinusitis, coughing. Others could be from allergy, irritation from heavy smoking or pollution. The serious condition is a growth near Eustachian tube which is uncommon. Some situations; taking flight, diving, going to high altitude, are not the cause of this swelling but make the tube more constrict and imbalance of the pressure.

So, if you have two conditions at the same time; swelling and constriction of the tube, you might have the severe imbalance of the pressure of middle ear. For examples; taking a flight while having cold, go diving with allergic symptoms, going to a high building during getting bad sore throat, will aggravate imbalance of the pressure. Those conditions cuase the inflammation in middle ear and symptoms as mention before.

What to do if you have the ear pain in those circumstances? You need to reduce the middle ear's pressure by increasing the Eustachian movement: yawn or chew more often. It might take a few days to weeks before you feel better. But if the pain is very strong or the hearing is not as good as before, you should go to see the doctor. Most of patients need antinflammatory medicine or some might need antibiotic.

Better safe, if you are having cold, postpone your itinerary. If you have to go, there are a few ways to reduce the consequences; taking a cold medicine 1 hour before flight, clearing the ear pressure all the time the plane is taking off and decending or seeing the doctor before your flight.

I was advised by the doctor to get tonsillectomy

2011-03-25T22:17:00.009+07:00

What are tonsils?

The tonsils are lymphoid tissues in the throat. There are lot of special white blood cells which are the barriers of the body to prevent the infection that might penetrate into deeper tissue.

Why do you have pain in the throat?

When the germs in your throat are increase, the number of white blood cell in tonsils will increase also.        That is for killing the germs and this process makes the tonsils swollen; tonsillitis, and causes sore throat. If the infection subsides, either from the body itself or taking medication,the tonsils would be shrink to normal size

Why do you need tonsils removed?

   There are few indications that the doctor might suggest you to have tonsils removed; tonsillectomy. First,
if you have tonsillitis very often about 5-6 times per year or if the infection is Streptococcus tonsillitis, only 2-3 times per year, you should have it removed because that might cause heart or kidney problems.
   Second, if the tonsils are very large, causing of narrowing of the airways, especially in children. Some people need tonsillectomy because of the concretion stone in the tonsils and cause bad breath. The last reason of tonsillectomy is for diagnosis of tonsillar cancer.

How is the protection system after the tonsils removal?
   You should not worry about this. The body still has lymphoid tissue around back of the throat, back of the nose and back of the tongue. Those are enough to protect your body from the infection.

How is the surgical technique of tonsillectomy?

   The patient needs general anesthesia for this operation. There are many differences surgical techniques for removing the tonsils; using a knife, electrocautery, laser, harmonic scalpel and coblation tonsillectomy. Each technique has some advantages and disadvantages. For example, the laser and coblation might cause less pain compare to a knife but the cost is higher. The difference of each method is not so obvious, so the experience of the surgeon should be the main factor.
Who should have tonsils removed, children or adults?
   The operation could be done in any ages, if the patient is suitable as earlier indications.

Any serious consequences of the operation?
This operation is very safe. There might be some risks; bleeding form the surgical area, allergy to anesthetic medicines. Most of patient would have pain and difficulty to eat or drink especially in first 24 hours after the operation. The pain will be less day by day.

What if you do not have the tonsils removed even the infection occurs very often?
It is not only wasting your time for being sick or increaesing the cost from treatments but you might get the serious coditions from the infection such as abscees in the throat, kidney or heart diseases from tonsillitis.

So, if you need to have the tonsile removed, you should have it done. However, the best way to avoid the operation is taking care of your health; having healthy foods, exercise, drinking lot of water and getting enough of rest.

health-guide

Ear pain after the flight

I was advised by the doctor to get tonsillectomy