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Flying: A Pain in the … Ear

Joette Calabrese, HMC, PHom M

June 11th, 2018  |  15 Comments

Ear Pain

“There is nothing worse than a screaming baby on a plane!” I’m willing to bet many people say that because they feel the baby is interrupting their peaceful flight, right?

But in my case, there is nothing worse because I know the suffering of the baby and family. When I hear a baby screaming, the mother-in-me knows the baby can’t adequately communicate its pain in any other way, and the poor mother is probably trying everything she can think of to bring the child comfort.

I remember when one of my sons was an infant, he was prone to ear problems. Often while flying, because of their tiny, developing Eustachian tubes, babies are likely to experience ear pain due to the abrupt change in air pressure during takeoffs and landings.

So, whenever we had to fly, I assumed the pressure changes might be difficult for him. During each takeoff and landing, I made sure I was nursing him (the swallowing motion helps keep the Eustachian tubes open). It worked. He never experienced ear pain on a flight.

Since nursing is not an option (without ending up on the no-fly list), many adults substitute it with chewing gum to induce the same swallowing mechanism. But gum alone doesn’t work for everyone, so naturally, we can turn to homeopathy for an answer.

Generally, if an adult suffers from pain in their ears due to barometric pressure changes, they have had ear issues at other times as well: sinus blockages, tinnitus, or a history of ear infections.

It would be rare for them to experience ear pain out of the (literally) clear blue sky; something else is usually going on. The body doesn’t just say, “I think I’ll choose ear pain today.” No, the ear is often an already weakened link. Consequently, we should always incorporate any previously existing condition into our thinking as we choose a remedy.

As one example, if the pain appears with an accompanying discharge from the ear, Hepar sulph 200 is commonly used every 3-12 hours, depending on the severity of the pain, until all symptoms are gone.

But, let’s say someone experienced horrendous, outrageous pain during a flight, with no pre-existing symptoms. What to do then? Well, Chamomilla 200 would be the generally-accepted starting point, taken in the same fashion (every 3-12 hours until the pain disappears).

If the pain was absolutely excruciating, then it might be appropriate to consider Belladonna 30 every 15 minutes, as an SOS until the pain subsides.

A student once told me her ear reacted painfully to flying — every time, with no pre-existing conditions — and the barotrauma lasted for days.

So, if I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was going to experience this pressure-change pain during flight, then I would consider employing Chamomilla 200 prophylactically — especially the first time I flew after gaining this knowledge.

After that first usage, my having taken this medicine may have uprooted the underlying issue, and I might not need to use it prophylactically again. But, you bet I would continue to have it handy in my carry-on!

Whatever the appropriate remedy, homeopathy provides us with a way to travel through the air comfortably — in the same way it allows us to travel through life comfortably. So, keep this blog post with your travel papers, as well as my article on my number one travel remedy (AAA), and my method for adapting to time change. Then put your seatbacks and tray tables in their upright positions and enjoy your flight!

P.S. Carrying a compact Homeopathy Kit containing 100 of the most necessary remedies is the best travel insurance you can have with you when you travel. Due to overwhelming demand, the Homeopathy Kits are occasionally on back-order. But, my office can help you get one of these imperative remedy collections and advise you on delivery expectations. Click here to learn more.

 

 

Joette laughingI am a homeopath with a worldwide practice working with families and individuals via Zoom. I'm also a teacher and most importantly, a mom who raised my now-adult children depending on homeopathy over the last 31 years. I lived decades of my life with food intolerances, allergies, and chemical sensitivities until I was cured with homeopathy, so I understand pain, anxiety, and suffering. You may feel that your issues are more severe or different than anyone else’s, but I have seen it all in my practice and in my work in India. My opinion is that nothing has come close to the reproducible, safe and effective results that my clients, students and I have achieved with homeopathy.

Call today and learn how homeopathy might just be the missing piece in your health strategy.


Joette is not a physician and the relationship between Joette and her clients is not of prescriber and patient, but as educator and client. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Joette presents. Homeopathy doesn't "treat" an illness; it addresses the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. Joette believes that the advice and diagnosis of a physician is often in order.


We've provided links for your convenience but we do not receive any remuneration nor affiliation in payment from your purchase.


The Author disclaims all liability for any loss or risk, personal or otherwise incurred as a consequence of use of any material in this article. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.



 

15 thoughts on “Flying: A Pain in the … Ear”

  1. Carrie Irish says:

    Speaking of flying… is it ok to take pellets through the scanners? I usually hand them over to avoid unnecessary exposure…arra

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      I’ll be covering that subject in an upcoming podcast, soon to be available.

  2. Paulis Waber says:

    Hi Joette. Thanks for this column. I have lots of pressure but not painful ear difficulties during and after flying. Problems really linger, maybe due to my allergies. Ear buds sometimes affect me too. My question is whether hepar would be right if there is no discharge? Lots of wax and a sense of fullness, so maybe it’s the same thing? Thanks! (PS Looking forward to starting mindfulness class tomorrow!)

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      The best way to know the full extent of the action of a particular remedy is to read about it in your materia medica. There are free versions on line authored by the great masters and my materia medica is available on my site.

      To answer your question, HS has a history of addressing such.

  3. Kristin Welch says:

    Hi Joette! I always have pain upon landing. Any suggestions for that?

  4. Kristin Welch says:

    To clarify, as soon as they start the descend..my ears begin to clog and if I do not catch in time, I go through some pain until I can relieve the pressure

  5. Ruth EA Cox says:

    I’d love to hear how to fly with remedies: all the security procedures-do we worry about them running or bottles of remedies? My lifelong fear-please speak to flying with remedies!

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      I’m doing a podcast on this subject coming up in a week or so.

  6. Ms. Joette, when you say Belladonna 3; which “3” are you referring to? 3x, 3c, 30c??? I’m confused.
    Please reply to [email protected] Thank you.

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      It should have read Belladonna 30 and is being changed as I write this. Thanks for pointing it out.

  7. Cynde says:

    Great article! Euphrasia 30C taken before flight works well for me as my stuffy ears/ sinuses are related to allergies. Gets my ears unstuffed so they can adapt to the pressure changes.

  8. Kristi Corder says:

    I needed this blog post about 4 months ago when my boy was screaming on the flight home from Disney World because his ears hurt. I’ll remember this for next time. =)

  9. Farah says:

    Will note this for my next flight. What can one give children for jet lag and that feeling of bopping in water once you’re off the plane? We tend to travel long distances so after 16-17 hrs on a plane, anything is helpful.

  10. Aimee says:

    I’m trying Cham 200 now for a bothersome ear after I blew my nose too hard! I’m hoping for the best with this!

  11. Iris says:

    I always travel with my 100 kit even if It’s only an overnight stay.

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