Doc’s Corner…
As winter draws in we find ourselves niggled by coughs and colds, sneezes, furry throats and bunged up or runny noses.
We've all been told before not to fly with a cold... but we can all recall a story of someone who did before without incident... can't we?
Do not fly with a cold.
In addition to the performance degradation of feeling unwell there is an elevated risk of loss of control.
Sinuses and the middle ear are air-filled spaces, connected to the throat by small openings. All are lined with the same very sensitive lining (mucosa) as we find in our nose and throat. The small openings are very vulnerable to blocking; hence why we may feel congested with coughs and colds.
When you fly you will have experienced your ears 'popping'. This is due to air moving in and out of these spaces to equalise volume as outside air pressure changes. Air expands and leaves the inner ear and sinuses as you climb and will be squeezed by the increasing outside pressure as you descend, often requiring us to actively 'clear' our ears by moving the jaw to tighten the floppy Eustachian tube or blowing against a pinched nose to create over-pressure. Equalisation of pressure cannot happen if these tiny openings to the spaces are blocked and instead you will experience pain that can range from a distracting discomfort up to totally incapacitating agony.
Additionally your hearing may become impaired and you are at increased risk of vertigo (extreme dizziness).
Use of medications is not mitigation for this. As a general rule: If you are using ANY medicines in order to go flying; you are NOT fit enough to go flying (due to the condition requiring treatment). Note that some medicines will also make you temporarily unfit to fly in their own right.
Advice should ALWAYS be sought from your AME, BEFORE flying, if you are unwell or are: considering, taking, combining or dose-changing ANY medications of which they are not already aware. This includes herbal remedies and medicines bought over the counter as well as medicines prescribed by other doctors.
Be Safe, Fly Safe, Stay Safe.
Dr Joseph Mulae is a Hospital Consultant in Respiratory and Internal Medicine and is a private pilot. He holds a Diploma in Aviation Medicine awarded by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians UK and routinely provides specialist aeromedical advice to the UK Military.
Dr Joseph Mulae is NOT a CAA AME. Always speak to your AME if you have any concerns related to your medical fitness to exercise the privileges of your licence.
