sudafed

[coey123]

does sudafed really help with pressure on a airplane flight if so can any one tell me the instruction for when to take it etc i would appreciate this very much thank you

[chazza55]

as I understand it, Sudafed is a decongestant.

The pressure needs to be equalised via the tubes in your ears as you ascend/descend.

The less clogged up the tubes in your ears are, the smoother (less sudden) and less painful the equalisation of the pressure.

So by taking Sudafed (a decongestant), you are helping to clear your ear tubes - thereby easing the equalisation of the pressure and preventing pain.

I have not tried this, but have heard of it, so I cannot comment on how well it works. But I can imagine the sudafed box should give you an idea of how long the product takes to work. So time the dose accordingly.

I guess if you take it 1 or 2 hours before that would enough time for it to start working.????

These sites may help:

http://businesstravel.about.com/od/air/a/earpain.htm

http://yahoo.theherrens.com/index.php?tag=decongestant

[jake-the-peg]

I used to use it sometimes when diving (very naughty) to help clear the ears.

It's a bit personal but I'd take it an hour or so before flying. Remember about coming down too. Check the packet advice for dosage and frequency.

[JudgeJ]

Just a word of warning here!

As has been mentioned,  Sudafed is a decongestant and has the effect of drying up sinuses, airways etc. A side effect of this is that it also slightly dehydrates the body. Coupled with the dehydration effect generally associated with flying the results can be quite alarming.

My wife took Sudafed to help with nasal congestion an hour or so before embarking on a long haul flight last year. Not long into the flight she suffered the symptoms of dehydration (giddiness, nausea and thirst) which took two litres of water to cure. The after effects lasted a couple of days.