Barotrauma – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!

Barotrauma – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments that we should be informed about. Also, barotrauma  is a condition that causes discomfort in the ear due to pressure changes. In each ear is a tube that connects the middle of the ear to the throat and nose. It also helps regulate ear pressure. This tube is called the Eustachian tube. When the tube is blocked, you can experience  ear barotrauma .

Occasional ear barotrauma  is common, especially in environments where the altitude changes . While the condition is not harmful in some people, frequent cases can cause additional complications. It is important to understand the differences between acute (occasional) and chronic (recurrent) cases so that you know when to seek medical treatment.

Top Symptoms of Barotrauma:  If you have barotrauma , you may feel uncomfortable pressure inside your ear. Common symptoms, which occur earlier or in mild to moderate cases, may include:

• Dizziness
• General discomfort in the ear
• Mild hearing loss or difficulty hearing
• Filling or fullness in the ear

If it progresses long enough without treatment or the case is particularly severe, symptoms may intensify. Additional symptoms that may occur in these cases include:

• Earache
• Feeling of pressure in the ears, as if under water
• nosebleed
• Moderate to severe hearing loss or difficulty
• Ear drum injury

Once treated, almost all symptoms will disappear. Hearing loss from barotrauma  is almost always temporary and reversible.

Main Causes of Barotrauma:  Blockage of the Eustachian tube is one of the causes of barotrauma . The Eustachian tube helps restore balance during pressure changes. For example, yawning normally opens the eustachian tube. When the tube is blocked, symptoms develop because the pressure in the ear is different from the pressure outside the eardrum.

Altitude changes are the most common cause of this condition. One of the places many people experience barotrauma   is during the ascent or descent of an airplane. The condition is sometimes referred to as an airplane ear.

Other situations that can cause  barotrauma  include:

• Diving
• Walk
• driving through the mountains

Diving Ear Barotrauma:  Diving is a common cause of barotrauma . When you go diving, you are under a lot more pressure underwater than you are on land. The first 14 feet of the dive are often the greatest risk of ear injury for divers. Symptoms usually develop immediately or shortly after diving.

Medium barotrauma  is particularly common in divers as the underwater pressure changes dramatically. To avoid ear barotrauma  , descend slowly while diving.

Diagnosing  Barotrauma :  While barotrauma  may go away on its own, you should contact a doctor if your symptoms include significant pain or bleeding from the ear. A medical examination may be needed to rule out an ear infection.

Barotrauma can often  be detected through a physical exam. A close look inside the ear with an otoscope can often reveal changes in the eardrum. Due to pressure changes, the eardrum can be pushed slightly out or in from where it normally sits.

Your doctor may also squeeze air (inflation) into the ear to see if there is fluid or blood pooling behind the eardrum. If there are no significant results on the physical examination, often the situations you have reported that involve your symptoms give clues to the correct diagnosis.

Barotrauma Treatment:  Most cases of barotrauma  usually heal without medical intervention. There are some self-care steps you can take for immediate relief. You can help alleviate the effects of air pressure in your ears by:

• yawning
• Bubble gum
• Practicing breathing exercises
• Taking antihistamines or decongestants

In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or a steroid to help with infection or inflammation.

In some cases, barotrauma  results in a broken eardrum. A broken eardrum can take up to two months to heal. Symptoms that do not respond to self-care may require surgery to prevent permanent damage to the eardrum.

Surgery:  In severe or chronic cases of barotrauma , surgery may be the best option for treatment. Chronic cases of barotrauma  can be helped with the help of ear tubes. These small cylinders are placed across the eardrum to stimulate airflow to the middle of the ear. Ear tubes, also known as tympanostomy tubes or grommets, are most commonly used in children and can help prevent barotrauma infections .

These are also commonly used in those with chronic barotrauma  who frequently change altitudes, such as those who need to fly or travel frequently. The ear tube will normally remain in place for six to 12 months.

The second surgical option involves a small slit made in the eardrum to allow more pressure to equalize. This can also remove any fluid present in the middle ear. The crack will heal quickly and may not be a permanent solution.

Barotrauma Prevention:  You can lower your risk of experiencing barotrauma  by taking antihistamines or decongestants before diving or flying in an airplane. You should always check with your doctor and be aware of possible side effects before taking new medications.

Other steps you can take to prevent or lessen barotrauma  include:

• Descend slowly while diving
• Swallowing, yawning, and chewing when experiencing barotrauma symptoms, which may relieve symptoms
• Exhale through the nose during an altitude climb
• Avoid using earplugs when diving or flying