Why does my head feel like it's going to explode when I fly?


Why does my head feel like it's going to explode when I fly? This rare headache felt on aircraft descent is probably due to the squeeze effect on the frontal sinus wall, when air trapped inside it contracts producing a negative pressure leading to mucosal edema, transudation and intense pain.


Why am I so sensitive to altitude?

The higher up you go, the thinner the atmosphere gets. That means breathing in the same amount of air gets you less oxygen than at a lower altitude. Altitude sickness happens when your body has trouble adjusting to the difference in how much oxygen you're getting with each breath.


Is it OK to fly with sinus pressure?

If suffering from a sinus infection while flying, you may experience severe sinus pressure and pain. We recommend avoiding air travel when possible if you have a sinus infection. By treating the root cause of your sinus pressure and pain, you can avoid a lifetime of painful flights.


How do pilots deal with ear pressure when flying?

Chewing is another practice that helps pilots to relieve ear popping. Just like yawning or swallowing liquids, chewing also stretches areas around the ears, equalizing the pressure inside the ear.


Should I fly with pressure in my head?

However, flying is possible for cases of controlled chronic intracranial hypertension. In many cases following treatment and medications, the increased fluid and pressure around the brain is under control and flying is possible, but not completely painless.


Which earplugs are best for airplane pressure?

Alpine FlyFit filters are designed to regulate this pressure like a valve, so your ears can adapt! No more pain when taking off or landing in an airplane. A must-have for everybody who experiences pain while flying.


What medicine to take before flying for ears?

To ease discomfort, you can take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), or an analgesic pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).


How long do airplane headaches last?

Airplane headache (AH) is an intense, short lasting headache - usually lasts around 30 min [1], and is exclusively related to airplane travels.


Is it OK to take ibuprofen before flying?

3. Take your medication at least an hour before your flight. If you're taking antihistamines, decongestants, or over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, it's important to take your medication at least an hour before your flight so it has time to work before your plane takes off.