headaches?

[Jmoney]

I just completed my ow certifications classes last week. on both days of diving i got a headache that lasted for a couple days. both times i got the headache when doing the mask clearing.

has this ever happened to anyone else before or does anyone know why this would happen? i don't think it has anything to do with my sinuses as i was equalizing fine and i didnt have any problem with my ears.

any help is appreciated as i have another dive scheduled for this weekend and am trying to decide whether i should go on it or not.

 

[anzac65]

Are you sure you're not just dehyrated ? If you're a little stressed about the exercises this could give you a whacking headache, unrelated to the physics of diving....

 

[sarita75]

I would second checking your liquid intake - drink water, avoid caffiene, etc.

As well, check your mask and how tight it is on your face. You might be getting a bit too much squeeze. Additionally, make sure that you are not clenching your reg in your mouth. I always get headaches from clenching (in my sleep, etc), and it is VERY common when you feel anxiety, stress, etc.


Good luck with your diving!

 

[Teamcasa]

You are holding your breath or skip breathing. Stop doing that and learn to breath normally!
Search for CO2 headache.

Dave

 

[sandmanz32]

You are holding your breath or skip breathing. Stop doing that and learn to breath normally!
Search for CO2 headache.

Dave

you took my answer! lol

 

[String]

CO2 would be my immediate thought but i cant see that lasting a couple of DAYS.

Hours or until you sleep it off maybe but not days.

 

[JackSpearo]

After completing one of my pool dives at UNC, later that night I had a HUGE headache, probably the biggest headache I've ever had in my life. I even called my instructor and told him that I thought it was dive related. He said I could have surfaced too fast and messed up one of my sinuses (it was specifically in my forehead). So, from then on out, I surface slowly...and it's been golden ever since...where does your head hurt exactly? all over? one side? etc.

Jack

 

[waynel]

I always seem to get a slight headache for about 10 minutes after surfacing but it always goes away. A DM told me our bodies all react differently to pressure changes even when we do everything right. But 2 days would concern me as well.

Glad you posted this question because I'm wondering if this (headaches) is more common than we think and we just don't talk about it much.

 

[sarita75]

Here's some information from DAN's website:

Diving Medicine FAQs
Frontal Headaches

Q:I have been diving since 1957 and have done more than 2,000 dives in the last 20 years. Early last year I began developing frontal headaches within an hour of completing my morning dives. It seems the longer my bottom time, the sooner the headache comes after diving. The headaches are severe enough that I cannot dive unless I take three or four aspirins - which take care of the headache until the next day. Is it possible that this is a decompression sickness warning sign? Can you take too much aspirin?
A:Since most of these headaches occur only in the forehead area, they may very well relate to some sinus difficulty. The onset of your headaches after scuba diving would seem to indicate a relationship between the two. It is important to note this: Headaches can be disabling when they occur suddenly and are severe enough that you are unable to continue diving. Although there may be other causes for your headache, a complete ear-nose-and-throat evaluation should be performed to rule out sinusitis or nasal polyps, which could become inflamed and irritated from barotrauma. Some divers may also experience chronic changes in the sinus lining - which can inhibit adequate clearing of your sinuses and lead to headaches. These conditions usually occur over a long period and may not produce any symptoms until the air passages in your sinuses are partially or completely occluded with excess tissue. As for your question about aspirin, there are some side effects with its chronic use. Two important side effects of aspirin use include: a prolonged time in your body's ability to form blood clots, and the toxic effect aspirin can have on your hearing. It is not uncommon for individuals to experience ringing and nerve damage with long-term, high-dose aspirin usage. This is one of the reasons we suggest that individuals consult a physician about their medical problems and medication use, including over-the-counter medications like aspirin. You should see your physician, who may allow you to continue diving after your headaches have been completely evaluated. First, however, you need to find out whether the headaches are the result of barotrauma, a chronic sinus problem or another medical condition.


They also have a really good PDF resource at http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/download/HeadachesandDiving.pdf


(Sorry to cut and paste)

 

[JackSpearo]

man I'm good ;-)