Common Cold
Medical Author: Steven E. Doerr, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
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Air Travel, Colds, and Sinus Infections
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
 People with severe colds and sinus infections
know that air travel can be painful. During a flight, the air pressure in the
sinuses (collections of air within the facial bones) and middle ear must equilibrate with the cabin pressure
inside the airplane, which changes during ascent and descent. Certain infections
and other conditions can cause blockage in the Eustachian tube (which
connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and maintains equal air pressure on both
sides of the eardrum) or in the
sinus openings, and this restriction to the flow of air can prevent the
equalization, or equilibration, of pressure and result in pain. Examples of conditions blocking the equilibration of air pressure in the
ears or sinuses include congestion caused by colds or allergies, middle ear
infections, and sinus infections.
Pain is not the only symptom that may occur when the Eustachian tube is
blocked. The pressure changes inside the middle ear may sometimes lead to
vertigo (a sense of
"spinning"), tinnitus ("ringing" in the ears) or hearing loss. In severe cases,
rupture of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) may occur.
Most doctors would agree that avoiding flying when you
have an active sinus or ear infection is the best way to prevent pain and
possible complications, but if flying is a necessity, decongestants can be used
in an attempt to overcome some of the blockages to air circulation. Both
systemic (taken orally) and topical (nose drops or nasal sprays) can be used to treat congestion.
Over-the-counter pain
relievers can also be used to help control discomfort.
Top Searched Common Cold Terms:
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What is the common cold, and what causes it?
The common cold, also known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection, is a self-limited contagious illness that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses. More than 200 different types of viruses are known to cause the common cold. Because so many different viruses can cause a cold and because new cold viruses constantly develop, the body never builds up resistance against all of them. For this reason, colds are a frequent and recurring problem. In fact, children in preschool and elementary school can have
three to 12 colds per year while adolescents and adults typically have two to
four colds per year. The common cold is the most frequently occurring illness in the world, and it is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.
What are the symptoms of the common cold?
Symptoms of the common cold include nasal stuffiness or drainage, sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, hoarseness, cough, and perhaps a fever and headache. Many people with a cold feel tired and achy. These symptoms will typically last anywhere from
three to 10 days.
How is the common cold spread?
The common cold is usually spread by direct hand-to-hand contact with infected secretions or from contaminated surfaces. For example, if a person with a cold blows or touches their nose and then touches someone else, that person can subsequently become infected with the virus. Additionally, a cold virus can live on objects such as pens, books, telephones, computer keyboards, and coffee cups for several hours and can thus be acquired from contact with these objects.
Does it have anything to do with exposure to cold weather?
Though the common cold usually occurs in the fall and winter months, the cold weather itself does not cause the common cold. Rather, it is thought that during cold-weather months people spend more time indoors in close proximity to each other, thus facilitating the spread of the virus. For this same reason, children in day care and school are particularly prone to acquiring the common cold.
Next: What is the difference between the common cold and influenza (the flu)? »
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