Ear clogged?

[DandyDon]

My EMT advised taking Claratin D 24 hour and gave me Flonaise.

Here is some expanded info on common OTC drugs divers take for this and related problems:


SUDAFED in its original form ( PSE - pseudoephedrine ) is a Decongestant that works directly on the nasal and ear areas - "by contricting blood vessels," but being chemically similar to Speed, some people find it increases their heart rate significantly, making them feel edgy, etc. OTC, but take with caution. This is the one DAN cautions about when diving Nitrox, although nothing has really been proven.


CLARITIN contains an Antihistamine ( loratadine ) — "a type of medicine that blocks the action of histamine, a natural substance in your body that is released by your immune system during an allergic reaction. " This is a more indirect approach that many are happy with.


CLARITIN D contain both the Decongestant and the Antihistimin ( loratadine and pseudoephedrine ) and while I prefer a generic form of this comfination for the 1 - 2 punch on a day to day regime, I don't use it the day of Nx diving until finished. I have seen divers say they were taking Claritin, when they were taking this combination of Sudafed & Claritin, that is PSE & loratadine.


SUDAFED PLUS is another combination of Decongestant and Antihistimine. Thsi one is known to cause drowsiness, and possibly not a good idea when narcosis is a risk. "This preparation contains two active ingredients, pseudoephedrine and triprolidine. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant. It works by stimulating receptors (alpha-receptors) in certain areas of the body, particularly in the lining of the nose and sinuses. Alpha-receptors are present on the muscles in the walls of blood vessels. When these receptors are stimulated by pseudoephedrine, the muscle contracts causing the blood vessel to narrow. This results in less fluid travelling through the vessels. Decreasing the amount of fluid flowing through the vessels in the lining of the nose and sinuses results in decreased amounts of fluid pushed out into these linings. This reduces the production of mucus, thereby relieving the symptoms of nasal congestion in conditions such as allergies and colds. Triprolidine is a sedating anti-histamine. It acts by blocking the action of histamine which is a chemical released when an allergic response occurs. Histamine is the chemical in the body that causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction. These can include inflammation of the skin, airways or tissues, rashes, itching of the skin, eyes or nose, nasal congestion and narrowing of the airways. By blocking the actions of histamine, triprolidine helps prevent and relieve the typical symptoms of an allergic reaction such as nasal congestion. Triprolidine is more likely to cause drowsiness than the newer group of non-sedating anti-histamines. Therefore, the combination of pseudoephedrine and triprolidine helps treat and prevent nasal/sinus congestion and itchy watery eyes."


MECLIZINE ( Brand Names - Antivert, Bonine ) is an Antihistimine commonly taken to prevent seasickness.


For best results, consult your ENT physician, then call DAN for additional information that applies to diving. Mileage may vary. :colgate:

 

[SoCalOffshore]

Yes. I couldn't afford to go to an ENT.

 

[mstudley]

Yes. I couldn't afford to go to an ENT.

I hate those stupid health care costs

Luckily I volunteer (on occasion... not anymore really) as an EMT and my wife is a nurse which makes diagnosing stuff and treating problems (including getting the stuff to treat them) much easier.

 

[Dive-aholic]

I recently finished my open water certification dives and one ear still feels like it needs to pop(air trapped?) There's no discharge and no pain just a clogged sensation. Is there something I can do to remedy the situation or is it just a waiting game?

Sounds like you have the same problem I did when I first started diving. Wait it out. It may take a couple of weeks. If pain develops, have a doctor check it out. I figured out that for me, I was clearing too hard and letting water back up into my ears. Ear clearing is an art. You have to clear enough to equalize the pressure, but if you clear too much, the pressure in your ears will be less than out of them and water will get in them. When you surface, you can't clear the water out. You then have to wait for the water to be absorbed, and this can take some time. This happened to me all the time, until I figured out what I was doing wrong. Unfortunately, it took me some 50 dives to figure it out. What I started doing then was clearing my ears a little at a time instead of big, forceful bursts. I haven't had the problem since. I hope this advice helps!

 

[ScubaFreak]

sounds like what i've had too- waxy ears- apparantly my ear doc told me i have a "bendy" er canal and it clogs easily!

Few squirts with the syringe and it's all good

 

[Upwelling]

I've found that Afrin 12 hour and getting the wax removed by the ENT once in a while helps. I don't like sudafed, it has too much of a speedy feeling. I wouldn't feel safe diving on it.

 

[pipedope]

To learn more about your ears, diving and things that go wrong, go to;
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/index.html
and watch the streaming video,

Streaming Video Lecture
"The Diver's Ear - Under Pressure"

It will answer a lot of questions and give you more ways to clear your ears.

Someone mentioned excess ear wax. I make LARGE amounts of ear wax and need to clean my ears regularly or I end up with wax plugs that cause me big trouble. After a few rounds with the Dr. I learned how to keep the wax under control myself.

Most people do not produce excess wax but if you do it really helps to know how to prevent trouble.