Last Friday was my first confined dive in the pool. The pool was only 12 ft and by the time I descended to 10ft..I couldn't equalize and my ears hurt. I stopped and slowly ascended. I feel stupid, but what is wrong with me? I've been dizzy all weekend, but no pain, tingling or any other problems. I've never had ear infections or any other problems. I'm not under medication.
dizziness
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maybe this link will help you.. ...what happened is u probrobly dove with a litle congestion and this makes it hard to equalize.. and as you descened may have iritated ear drum.. you have to be careful with these tings.. my girlfriend did the same thing but actually had a hole puuncture in her eardrum// she had to go to a specialist after it got infected and was told she had a chance of losoing her hearing.. remember the ears are fragile parts of the body any pain while diving should be adressed and corected by ascending and then trying to descend at a slower rate if possible.. but if pain persists the dive should be aborted.. i ave heard of people taking nondrowsy sudafed befor diving or using a nasal spray befor diving.. but i personally do not like taking medications .. as far as the dizzyness is concerned .. i am not an expert... i will research some more.. but if i were you i would go to a doctor and just have it checked out just incase.. there are doctors that specialize in sinus and Ears.. but your general pratitionere shouuld be fine.... hope i have helped you....
maybe this link will help you.. ...what happened is u probrobly dove with a litle congestion and this makes it hard to equalize.. and as you descened may have iritated ear drum.. you have to be careful with these tings.. my girlfriend did the same thing but actually had a hole puuncture in her eardrum// she had to go to a specialist after it got infected and was told she had a chance of losoing her hearing.. remember the ears are fragile parts of the body any pain while diving should be adressed and corected by ascending and then trying to descend at a slower rate if possible.. but if pain persists the dive should be aborted.. i ave heard of people taking nondrowsy sudafed befor diving or using a nasal spray befor diving.. but i personally do not like taking medications .. as far as the dizzyness is concerned .. i am not an expert... i will research some more.. but if i were you i would go to a doctor and just have it checked out just incase.. there are doctors that specialize in sinus and Ears.. but your general pratitionere shouuld be fine.... hope i have helped you....
Saturation
Medical Moderator
Check you ears for impacted wax, this is most common.
If dizziness persists with clean ears, you need to see if your ears are normal for diving, or were slightly injured by the dive.
This is done by an otoscopic exam by any doctor or nurse practitioner.
Congestion or technique could have caused the problem with equalization, but it doesn't explain why the dizziness has persisted since the dive.
If dizziness persists with clean ears, you need to see if your ears are normal for diving, or were slightly injured by the dive.
This is done by an otoscopic exam by any doctor or nurse practitioner.
Congestion or technique could have caused the problem with equalization, but it doesn't explain why the dizziness has persisted since the dive.
Saturation
Medical Moderator
Many divers develop ear and equalization issue during dives. So you're in good company. From what you describe its very treatable and you should be in the water in no time. You're welcome and hopefully you'll enjoy diving once the congestion is over.
TheDarknessLord
Contributor
my wife had the same problem, nothing serious, I'm sure you will be fine next time
Well, I made it. I am now OW certified. I can't wait for my first ocean dive. We have a trip to Cozumel coming up. There is..a down side to all this. After the 4 dives required to get my certification...I think I've developed another ear infection and dizziness (and some pain). Equalizing was easier on the 4th dive, however, my ears are completed clogged with water and it doesn't want to come out. Since joining this board, I've tried a lot of the tips...alcohol/vinegar drops, oil, etc. Tell me this gets easier and that ear problems will not surface everytime I dive??
Congratulations to Alias10!
I'll start with this thought: "Yes, it does get easier and better!" As your skills and procedures improve through practice, You'll wind up with less water in your nose and eustachian tubes, and you'll be doing gentler valsalvas.
That having been said, I would highly recommend that you see an EENT guy (and even better if you find one who is also a diver) for an inspection of the sinuses, and ears.
After you get over the infection, which is "probably" causing the dizziness, a simple trick to keep the sinuses clear is to get saline nasal spray (not medicated) at the local drugstore, and use it regularly! It's cheap and cheerful!
Comments from Doc???????
I'll start with this thought: "Yes, it does get easier and better!" As your skills and procedures improve through practice, You'll wind up with less water in your nose and eustachian tubes, and you'll be doing gentler valsalvas.
That having been said, I would highly recommend that you see an EENT guy (and even better if you find one who is also a diver) for an inspection of the sinuses, and ears.
After you get over the infection, which is "probably" causing the dizziness, a simple trick to keep the sinuses clear is to get saline nasal spray (not medicated) at the local drugstore, and use it regularly! It's cheap and cheerful!
Comments from Doc???????
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There seems to be confusion here about appropriate diagnosis & treatment. For example, it is not clear whether your condition is external or middle ear related.
The history of onset, complaints & treatment for sinus infection you have reported are suggestive of a middle ear problem, yet treatments such as various drops in the external auditory canal are only useful in protecting the canal. If you have middle ear congestion or infection, they are of no benefit whatsoever. They also are not useful in protecting or treating sinus conditions.
As such, BigJet's recommendation that you see a dive medicine savvy ENT is a good one.
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
The history of onset, complaints & treatment for sinus infection you have reported are suggestive of a middle ear problem, yet treatments such as various drops in the external auditory canal are only useful in protecting the canal. If you have middle ear congestion or infection, they are of no benefit whatsoever. They also are not useful in protecting or treating sinus conditions.
As such, BigJet's recommendation that you see a dive medicine savvy ENT is a good one.
This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.
Best regards.
DocVikingo
Thanks Doc and BigJet. The doctor does believe that I have a sinus and middle ear problem. Possibly the first problem was not completely absolved before I dived again. I'm on stronger antibiotics now. Hopefully, I can get all this water drained out of my ears before this weekend. My doctor is a general practioner and has dived before, so she has not referred me to and ENT yet. She also says that its possible the TX weather/climate is causing all the sinus problems. Only time will tell....
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