Barotrauma is a type of injury caused to tissues by changes in air pressure. There are different types; a very common one is ear barotrauma. We explain what it consists of, how it can affect you and what to do to avoid it.
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Perhaps not all of us know how to define what is ear barotrauma, but most of us have ever felt a somewhat painful pressure or a sensation of buzzing. This can happen when we are on a high mountain, we go by plane or we dive into the water at a certain depth.
Barotrauma is a nuisance and discomfort in mild cases, although it also manifests itself with symptoms that are of care. In this article we will explain everything about barotrauma in general and, in particular, about the ear, which is one of the most common.
What is ear barotrauma and how is it produced?
In the human body there are gases. And it is not only those that are in the intestines, which can manifest in the form of flatulence. We have air inside different cavities and structures. For example, in the lungs, but also in the ear and sinuses .
Normally there is a balance between the external pressure of the atmosphere and the internal pressure of these gases . This sometimes changes. If we are underwater, at a certain depth, the pressure increases; on the contrary, it goes down when we are at the top of a mountain.
With the interior-exterior imbalance, the air is compressed or expanded within the mentioned cavities. If internal pressure increases or decreases, barotrauma or barotrauma can occur .
However, otic barotrauma can also occur as a result of a blow to the head . It is even associated with nasal congestion, colds, and allergies. This is because, when we snort, we press towards the ear, which is connected to the nose and pharynx through the Eustachian tube.
Diving is an activity closely associated with the presence of ear barotrauma.
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Barotrauma symptoms
Depending on the areas of the body or organs affected, various types of barotrauma can occur, each with its own particular symptoms:
- Ear or otic barotrauma:you feel a buzzing or ringing with a feeling of plugged ears. Sometimes there is pain in the eardrum, vertigo or dizziness, and even hearing loss . In severe cases, a ruptured tympanic membrane occurs with bleeding and possible infection.
- Eye:In people who wear rigid contact lenses, air bubbles can form that create pressure, injuring the eyes and causing pain, alteration or momentary loss of vision.
- Sinus:affects the paranasal sinuses. It presents with facial pain, headache, a feeling of congestion, and a nosebleed ( epistaxis ).
- Dental:in the roots of the teeth or in spaces near a filling there are also air cavities. When affected by pressure, pain occurs.
- Pulmonary barotrauma:appears with shortness of breath, pain in the rib cage, choking sensation, hoarseness and cough.
- Mask:it is so called because it occurs right in the area where the divers put on the mask . The pressure of it causes dilation of the blood vessels. This is evident in bloodshot eyes. However, vision is not affected.
- From the gastrointestinal tract:during diving, when breathing improperly through the mouth, the person can swallow certain amounts of air. It expands as it rises to the surface, causing a feeling of fullness, belching and flatulence with abdominal cramps.
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What to do to mitigate barotrauma?
The care and care of barotrauma varies with the type and intensity of the disease. In mild cases, only self-care is enough to reduce symptoms.
In ear barotrauma, yawning, swallowing saliva, sucking on candy or chewing gum help to alleviate symptoms. You can also use the Valsava technique , which involves taking a deep breath, keeping the air in your lungs, plugging your nose, and then trying to force the air out.
In severe situations, ear barotrauma requires surgery to repair the eardrum . This can also occur in gastrointestinal tract barotrauma if a rupture occurs. Likewise, when the pulmonary variant becomes complicated, presenting a pneumothorax; a tube should be inserted to drain and administer supplemental oxygen.
On the other hand, some medications are recommended to alleviate pain or dizziness, as well as antihistamines to relieve congestion. Corticosteroids are also used in sinus barotrauma. Lastly, if there is infection, antibiotics should be given.
High altitudes are also the origin of barotraumas due to the change in pressures.
How to avoid ear barotrauma
In diving, the risk of injury is higher the greater the depth . To avoid this, you must ascend slowly, exhaling the air through your nose. Yawning or swallowing with a stuffy nose also helps.
Congestion also increases the possibility of ear barotrauma. Therefore, precautions must be taken with colds and allergies. Preferably, diving is not recommended in these cases. And if you have to take a plane trip, it is preferable to take a decongestant first.
