Having a vertigo problem...

[eelpout]

I have been a diver for the last 30 years, and lately I have had some problems with short spells of vertigo when I dive. It has happened in 30 feet of water and it has also happened in deeper water to. The vertigo - dizziness spells last from 3-10 seconds long. It is scary when it happens in deeper water. I suspect it may be caused by difference in air expanding in my middle ears. Has anybody else experienced this condition? Is there any explanation to why it could happen?

 

[justleesa]

I have had it happen when I go up just few feet. I stop, catch up with myself and it goes away. never worried about it as it doesn't happen all that often.
But I am interested in what the pros have to say about it.

 

[rmediver2002]

I have experienced the same before, since the symptoms are transient I would suspect your assumption that is alternobaric vertigo may be accurate.

Any changes in your ability to clear? (allergies, congestion)

I have had several students who developed growths within the sinus cavity (which would cause a squeeze not vertigo) and the eustacian tube after having been a diver for some time.

You would most likely want to visit an ENT specialist to make sure it is nothing physiological.

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

Assuming you are cleared to dive by a physician that knows about diving issues . . .

It is likely a change that occurs with aging. Some things just aren't as "fit" as they used to be I guess. For example: I have never had ear problems and sinus problems. I don't have significant problems now, but I have noticed that I am having weird things happen like having no difficulty equalizing on descent (like usual) but may later in the dive have some temporary problems equalizing when near the bottom but descending a few feet deeper.

Things like this never happened to me before in my life but now happen at least occasionally over the past year. Just to be sure that this is not some new disease or something, I went to a diving ENT and he saw nothing wrong with me.

I was recently overhearing another person talking about similar issues.

 

[eelpout]

I do not have a problem equalizing when I descend. I do have squeeking noises in my ears when I start to ascend at times. The vertigo happens when I ascend,even if it is slower that usual. Would taking a decongestant (approved for diving) help prevent the vertigo that occurs. It becomes an issue when I teach.

 

[rmediver2002]

It may help if congestion is the cause of the slow escape of gas, it may not if it is a physiological issue.

Better safe then sorry, I would suggest getting a specialist (ENT) to check you out especially if you are going to be responsible for students.

 

[eeg0323]

I also have trasient vertigo. It happens only on the first asent from the first dive of the day or trip and does not seem to matter if it is from 20 feet or 90 feet. It happends at about 10-15 feet and last 5-10 seconds and then goes away. All the rest of the dives for the day go without incident. Equalizing my ears on descent and during ascent does not seem to be a problem.