Earache

Earache - or otalgia - is one of the commonest disorders of childhood. It is usually caused by infection in the middle ear (see Otitis media, in this section). Since the eardrum is very sensitive to pressure changes (if it weren’t we couldn’t hear), extreme changes cause pain if the pressures can’t be equalised on either side of the drum - as may happen when we fly in aircraft. Some children (and their parents) suffer severe pain and deafness. This happens coming down only, because of the way the Eustachian tube allows air to move. We suffer if the tube won’t open. We can encourage opening by yawning or swallowing (which is why some airlines give you sweets to suck when coming in to land.) Suckling infants might benefit from the breast or a bottle during descent.
 
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