Indigestion

[neilstewart]

I sometimes get indigestion 30 to 40 minutes into a dive. I'm sure it is a dry air problem and I think it's pretty common as I've heard others talk about it. Any tips to help with this?

Neil

 

[BillP]

Hi Neil:

"Indigestion" is a very vague term that means different things to different people. How you deal with it depends on what the term means to you.

Some divers get acid reflux, or "heartburn", when they dive where stomach contents reflux into the esophagus. We depend on gravity and a pressure differential between the chest and abdominal cavities to help keep stomach contents in the stomach. These aids to digestion are compromised when diving. Avoiding things like coffee, alcohol, tobacco, peppermint, and foods that specifically bother you can help. I have this problem so I take an anti-acid medicine like Pepcid before I dive.

Other divers might describe symptoms of motion sickness as "indigestion". There's plenty of info on motion sickness on the board.

Some folks might have problems with gas trapping in the GI tract and describe it as "indigestion". They might swallow air from the motion sickess or from the nervousness and excitement of diving and have problems with burping or abnominal distention. A conscious effort not to swallow air might help, as might a simethicone preparation like Gas-X to help break up the bubbles and make them easier to burp. Gas swallowed or formed in the intestines at depth can expand on ascent and cause cramps. Avoiding the air swallowing and gas forming foods is a good idea when diving.

A diver might describe diarrhea or constipation as "indigestion". Travelers' diarrhea has been covered before elsewhere- avoid the things that cause it and have appropriate treatment available if it happens anyway. Constipation is common with dietary changes with travel. Drink plenty of fluids and add fiber to your diet with foods that are rich in fiber or through a commercial fiber preparation.

A myriad of other symptoms might also be described as "indigestion", but I hope that I've briefly hit on some of the high points.

HTH,

Bill

 

[neilstewart]

Hi Bill

Thanks for the note, I was refering to heartburn and shall travel armed with some anti-acid.

Neil

 

[scubadoc]

Hello Neil:

In addition to BillP's excellent reply here is what we have on our web page about the subject:

"If you have a severe case of heartburn every time you dive and it gets worse on ascending to the surface, you probably have pressure-induced GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Remember Boyle's Law--air filled sacs decrease in size as pressure is increased and increase in size as pressure is decreased. What is happening is that you are swallowing air subconsciously as you try to equalize during the dive. As you do this at depth due to the small up and down movements in the water column, you are putting air into your stomach. As you ascend to the surface, your lower esophageal sphincter is being overwhelmed by the expanding air in your stomach.

This is a very common complaint and it doesn't necessarily mean you have a serious problem--unless you have it while not diving. You might possibly go to your MD and be sure everything is OK---if so you can manage this yourself with several easy maneuvers.

First--don't eat a big meal and then dive.

Second--carry some medication along on the trip that will cut down on acid reflux,i.e., Pepsid, Tagamet or Zantac.

Third, take along a bottle of of antacid tablets and take several before each dive.

Many divers are prone to this problem and find that their greatest problem is on the second dive--usually after eating gas producing dive boat food! It's best to eat less food and try not to wash food down with liquids--during which most air is swallowed.

One other cause of this problem is an alpha blocker medication that causes relaxation of the sphincter (muscle); "Hytrin" or "Cardura", a mild blood pressure drug that's also used for prostate problems can also cause heart burn as well as nasal congestion.

Try these simple tricks and I think your dives will be more pleasant! "
http://www.scuba-doc.com/hrtbrn.htm

In addition to the medications noted above, you might add Viagra as a drug that will relax the cardia (lower esophageal sphincter) - although I can't imagine why you might want to take Viagra before a dive!

Best regards for safe diving!

scubadoc
Diving Medicine Online
http://www.scuba-doc.com/

Ten Foot Stop Newsletter
http://www.scuba-doc.com/sbscrb.html

 

[neilstewart]

Thanks for the note doc.

Yes I would say it's happens on ascent and is more common on a second dive and thinking about my food consumption mid day, pasta and rice was better for me than ham and cheese rolls.

I agree that although the fluid grace of a Spotted Eagle Ray could be considered sexy, I don't think I'll be diving on Viagra.

Neil

 

[Rick Murchison]

Originally posted by neilstewart
pasta and rice was better for me than ham and cheese rolls.
Neil

I have found that in my case there is a direct correlation between recent fat intake (burgers, ham & cheese rolls, bacon, mayonaise etc) and acid reflux while diving. Fat and sugar together (cake, donuts etc) is even worse. If I do feel it coming on, cimetidine (Tagamet) works fine.
Rick