Another headache question

[Barriecuda]

Another question relating to headaches

I've searched the earlier questions and haven't found anything that could answer my question.....here goes

On just about every dive I get a headache either in the forehead area or at the back of my head. It lasts for approx. 1/2 hour to an hour after the dive. I was told that this could be a cause of being dehydrated. I was wondering if it could possibly be from equalizing too often or too hard. I do equalize often even when I'm at depth, I guess out of habit. Has anyone experenced this or knows what could be causing this type of headache.

Safe Diving
Barriecuda

 

[fins wake]

I'm not a doctor, so I won't offer any direct medical opinions as there are so many skilled ones around in this section who do that so much better.

I merely want to say - as an anecdotal experience - that I had plenty of headaches on my early dives when I was a newbie diver. As a rule, I usually ascended too fast, and without a safety stop ...

When I learned to control my buoyancy and started taking safety stops on every dive, these headaches went away completely and have not returned since (well, apart from a few SCR dives at one stage, when I was pretty dehydrated from illness in the tropics and that's many dives ago). But I also breathe very much more relaxed nowadays than I did as a newbie, and I make sure I'm well-hydrated. So there could be plenty of explanations there ...

Take your pick ...

 

[VitaminSea]

I've also had headaches after my first dives, when I asked I was told the reason migh be anything from breathing problems, equalization problems, or neck pain...for me the reason might have been bad equalization. Also like you said, might be dehydration.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

In my personal experience I will get a headache if I do not keep my fluid intake up over a day/weekend/week of diving and I will also get a headache from CO2 buildup. Both tend to be very persistent once attained and the CO2 headaches are real killers that asprin won't touch.

My understanding is that CO2 is a vasodialator and this causes the headaches. I used to get this a lot when spearfishing as skip beathing tended to be required to get the fish in close enough in the severely limited visibility available, but a hard breathing regulator or a very strenous dive (I do occassional commerical work) can produce the same result.

It's just my opinion but if you get a headache that leaves in 1/2 hour or so, I'd suspect another cause as in my case, the other causes result in a much more persistent headache.

You didn't mention whether you use Nitrox or not. A lot of Nitrox divers I know get much better air consumption with Nitrox and I am one of those as my normally low air consumption gets even lower with Nitrox, at least at deeper depths and higher PO2 levels. However I am very careful to not reduce my breathing rate to the point where I begin to carry higher levels of CO2. Deep exhalation really helps to minimize CO2 buildup. One of the symptoms of excessive CO2 is a darkening of your peripheral vision and/or having your vision "pulse" a bit with your heartbeat.

CO2 buildup can also make a diver more prone to oxygen toxicity and it's a good thing to avoid particulary at deeper depths and higher PO2's on Nitrox.

 

[Barriecuda]

Thanks for the information.

Fins Wake
My ascents are slow and I do a safety stop even if its not required. I have to admit though that sometimes my breating isn't that relaxed (cold water). I guess that could be one reason.

DA Aquamaster
I've just become certified in nitrox in the last 2 weeks. Come to think of it on my two dives, I didn't have the headache, even though my breathing was alot more rapid then normal. Water was extremely cold at 44-46 F. as well as the first dive of the season. I'll see how things go with the nitrox dives and let you know

Safe Diving
Barriecuda

 

[DJ69]

Try a diferant mask
I used to have a mask that presd on my forehead above the nose. After I replaced it it was much more easy to eqelize and less pains.
If you wear glasses then make sure you have the correct prescription also on the dive mask.

You think you are little dehydrated, Drink more. half a litter or more before evry dive and after every dive.
Most of the people I see with headaches after dives is because of dehydration.