Congested while flying tip

If you find yourself to have any sort of head or sinus congestion and need to fly, I highly reccommend Sudafed Non-Drying Sinus.  Here's my little secret for flying with congestion:

• Do not blow your nose prior to the flight -- spit up any mucus.
• Take 1 Sudafed Non-Drying Sinus 2-3 hours prior to the flight.
• Get yourself a pack of gum and keep it in your pocket or carry-on for the flight.
• Take 1 Sudafed Non-Drying Sinus when they start boarding.
• Start chewing a piece of gum before they close the doors so that your jaw is moving during pressurization -- you will want to do the same when the captain announces that they have started the descent.
• For flights longer than 4 hours, take another 1-2 Sudafed Non-Drying pills at the 3-4 hour mark.
• Drink lots of water during the flight.

Note that I used to take regular Sudafed, but the regular stuff can dry out your nasal passages and sinuses and potentially cause infection.  I have found the Sudafed can cause dehydration, so it is important that you keep yourself well hydrated.  Further note that I am not a doctor and you should check with your physician before starting the use of any drugs; just because it works for me doesn't mean that it will work for you.  Additionally, I have heard of people that have used regular Sudafed in a similar manner and still wound up with a ruptured eardrum, so be very careful.

I am certainly not advocating that you fly when congested, only offering a potential solution if you find yourself in a situation where you have no choice.  Chances are that, after using this trick, your ears will become clogged for a day or two after the flight and it is best to let them clear on their own rather than forcing them to clear once you are at a stable altitude.