Path: utzoo!utgpu!cunews!bnrgate!bigsur!bnr-rsc!bmerh682!lenny
From: lenny@bmerh682.BNR.CA (Len DePalma)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: Eustachiun Tube problems
Keywords: tubes ears
Message-ID: <4461@bnr-rsc.UUCP>
Date: 7 May 91 17:14:57 GMT
References: <1991May5.021036.11904@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>
Sender: news@bnr-rsc.UUCP
Reply-To: lenny@bnr.ca
Organization: BNR Ottawa, Fiber Systems Development
Lines: 47

I've never heard of the tube procedure you mentioned, but...

I thought you might like to know that your experience is very common
in another sport - scuba diving.  As a 'hobbyist' in both 
activities I though you might appreciate a little additional info.
Note, however, the cause is also a pressure difference but it is
in reverse of what is experienced above sea level (you probably al-
ready know this).

You mentioned severe sinus problems which is likely the cause of your
discomfort as this is probably what is blocking your esutachiun tubes.
This problem is very pronounced when under water, the advantage here 
being that you can stop your descent at any time to clear your ears -
unfortunetly you don't have that option *above* sea level.  :)
 
I sometimes have mild problems with my sinus and have experienced some
discomfort when scuba diving, however I have never experienced any
pain in my ears while sky diving.  Granted I have only had four jumps
and the first one doesn't really count as far as being aware of much
(hoooooooly shit, etc!).  What I'm getting around to is this sounds 
like bad news for your diving hobby (in water or air) since it sounds
like your esutacian(s) is near totally blocked.

Also, my diving instructor warned me about taking any type of medication
to clear the eustacean before a dive - the problem comes if the stuff
wears off *during* a dive... you come back to the surface and your ears
explode (ouch!).  Something you might keep in mind while sky diving.
Note, however, there is one type of medicine (Actifed, or something
like that) which _is_ safe to take because it naturally clears the
tube(s) and hence does not wear off.  You might want to try it - 
although I would strongly suggest you get in touch with an MD who 
is familiar with one of these sports and can vouch for the medication's
suitability (sorry I can't remember the exact name, but is is out
there).  
 
Good luck.

"""    _            Pilot to Co-pilot:  "Say... what's a mountain goat 
@  """/ \  ^^       doing way up here in a cloud bank?"  G. Larson
   _ /   \  ^^
  / V     \   _
_/   \     \~/.\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
            \...\_______/\/\..           ^.                   
                       /..\.\::.                           )        
  Len DePalma         /....::::::.                        '     ~~___*_
  Ottawa, Canada          :::::.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                  ~//--H-
  lenny@bnr.ca                !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!