Barotrauma

Barotrauma is the most common medical problem reported by air travelers. It is much more likely to happen to people who have colds, allergies or infections when they are flying. It is common in children because their Eustachian tubes are narrower than those of adults and become blocked more easily.

Barotrauma in the lungs also can occur, but this is not seen in air travelers. It occurs, rarely, in divers who hold their breath, when the diaphragm moves abruptly in a "gasping" effort. The diaphragm is the main muscle used in breathing. This form of barotrauma creates a vacuum in the lungs and can result in bleeding into the lung tissue. A more common form of barotrauma in the lungs is caused by the mechanical ventilation systems used in hospital intensive care units to help patients breathe. In this case, air sacks (alveoli) in the lungs may be ruptured or scarred due to high air pressure within the lungs. Ventilator-associated barotrauma is a complex medical concern.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of ear barotrauma include:

• Ear pain

• A sensation that the ears are stuffed

• A need to "pop" your ears by swallowing, yawning or chewing gum

More severe signs include:

• Extreme pain in the ear

• Dizziness (vertigo)

• Bleeding or fluid coming from the ear, which can mean you have a ruptured eardrum

• Hearing loss

Barotrauma of the lungs associated with scuba diving can result in coughing up blood after diving, although this is rare.