HeadAche

[DomaNitrogen]

Hi;

Recently in my last diving trip i had a headache after each dive. i did 3 dives on 3 days nothing fancy normal diving mostly shalow 10 to 18 m nothing unsual. i thought it was the mask so i fixed the strap so it's not so tight. i breath smoothly and deeply.

Any ideas??

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

The obvious answer is carbon dioxide retention, but you say you are breathing deeply and you are an experienced diver, so this seems unlikely.

Have you had your eyes checked recently, do you use a prescription mask or contact lenses? Sometimes, protracted periods without proper correction can cause headache. thus, if you need correction on land, you should be using it underwater --- and don't trust the dipter lenses via the LDS. Get contacts or a mask ground to your specific prescription (like a SeaVision).

Another possibility is dental/TMJ/sinus pain from using a worn regulator or from some undiagnosed dental problem (a leaky filling) or a sinus cyst. A dental or sinus block, even a mild one, can cause headache. If this persists, and your eyes are OK, have your teeth checked, check with an ENT person. (In general, persistent and recurring headaches of new onset should be evaluated by an MD, regardless of the situation).

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Adham,

There are many possible causes of post-dive headache, including C02 retention, anxiety, cold, excessively tight mask straps/hoods/beanies/wetsuit collars, glare from the water/staring into the sun, neurological DCI and dental/TMJ/sinus/neck abnormalities and injuries.

C02 retention certainly suggests itself and cannot be ruled out solely on the basis that you are an experienced diver and were breathing slowly and deeply. A fautly reg can cause retention, as can a snorkel with a large dead space.

You will need to rule out each of the possibilities.

Helpful?

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.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[DomaNitrogen]

Thanks guys, Ya what i will do is start by eliminating each factor

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

One last thought --- make sure your air is not contaminated with carbon monoxide or other problems. Sometimes stale or bad air will cause headache.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Adham,

This is a good thought.

Bad air can smell or taste odd. Did you notice this?

Also, other divers using the same fill station that day would be expected to have been affected. Did anyone else on the boat complain of foul air, headache or manifest coughing?

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[alo100]

Hi;

Recently in my last diving trip i had a headache after each dive. i did 3 dives on 3 days nothing fancy normal diving mostly shalow 10 to 18 m nothing unsual. i thought it was the mask so i fixed the strap so it's not so tight. i breath smoothly and deeply.

Any ideas??

Just wondered, did you need to go aginst current during the dive, or did you trying to speed up during the dive? It happened to me one time.

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

Adham,
Several months ago, I compiled an article discussing headaches and SCUBA diving. You can download it from http://www.red-sea-shadow.com/downloads/HeadachesAndScubaDiving.pdf