VIDEO: Pressure compensation does not work

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What you need:

• Neck, nose ear doctor

A pressure equalization has to work all by itself

You have probably flown before and have had problems with pressure equalization at short notice. Children and babies in particular have great problems with it. Once a certain height is reached, the pressure levels out again. This happens completely automatically.

• As for many things, there is a physical explanation if the pressure equalization does not work: The air pressure in your middle ear cannot adapt to the ambient pressure.
• So you usually get dizzy, sometimes too nausea. These symptoms arise because the balance organ is in the middle ear.
• Normally, the pressure equalization should work quickly. The pressure in the middle ear adapts to the pressure via the so-called ear trumpet. The ear trumpet is the connecting piece between the ear and the oral cavity.
• Especially at sniffles For example, flying is very uncomfortable and even quite painful. So you should rather be with one cold don't get on the plane.


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• If the pressure equalization does not work very often, you should consult an ENT specialist. For example, organic causes can also be to blame, such as inflammation of the ear canal or the middle ear. But ear wax also likes to take the blame on itself.

When the equalization doesn't work

If the pressure equalization does not work at all at first, you can help:

• A very popular trick is yawning. The mucous membranes are stretched. This gives you greater access to the eustachian tube.
• Chewing gum or a piece of candy can also help. In the example of flight, you can chew gum before take-off and before landing. The eustachian tube is also moved by these movements.
• Divers have a trick if all else fails: take a deep breath and then hold onto that immediately nose to. Now close the mouth. You can now breathe through your nose. This creates increased pressure in the throat and mouth. The blockage could be resolved in this way. But be careful: Before you get dizzy or nauseous, it is better not to put too much pressure on.
• If you know beforehand that the pressure equalization is not working as well, talk to your doctor about whether you can use a decongestant nasal spray, for example when flying. Spray some spray into both nostrils half an hour before the start. Because the mucous membranes swell, the ear trumpets can also widen. The effects last in about three hours.