medicine for equalization
- Thread starter pipi
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Hi pipi,
Unless you are aware of some compelling medical reason why you might encounter problems in equalizing the ears, there seems little reason to start taking drugs (all of which have side effects) at the time you begin SCUBA certification pool lessons or your open water check out dives.
I recommend that you carefully view the following video (about 45 min duration) and apply this knowledge if and when you take up dive training:
The Diver's Ear: Under Pressure
Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page
If it turns out that you do in fact have difficulty equalizing despite this knowledge and your instructor's best efforts to assist you in proper clearing, then come back to the Diving Medicine forum and we can talk drugs (of which there are a number).
Make sense?
Regards,
DocVikingo
Unless you are aware of some compelling medical reason why you might encounter problems in equalizing the ears, there seems little reason to start taking drugs (all of which have side effects) at the time you begin SCUBA certification pool lessons or your open water check out dives.
I recommend that you carefully view the following video (about 45 min duration) and apply this knowledge if and when you take up dive training:
The Diver's Ear: Under Pressure
Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page
If it turns out that you do in fact have difficulty equalizing despite this knowledge and your instructor's best efforts to assist you in proper clearing, then come back to the Diving Medicine forum and we can talk drugs (of which there are a number).
Make sense?
Regards,
DocVikingo
cave_diver
Contributor
I’m not aware of any pills that help you to equalize more easily. There are certainly pills that help you with anxiety, but I would not recommend taking them before diving.
When you get certified, you will have some pool lessons first. You will practice to equalize in the pool. There is really nothing to it. After you have done it a dozen times, it becomes natural. The only exemption is a medical problem, in which case you have to see a doctor!
When you get certified, you will have some pool lessons first. You will practice to equalize in the pool. There is really nothing to it. After you have done it a dozen times, it becomes natural. The only exemption is a medical problem, in which case you have to see a doctor!
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Hi cave_diver,
Perhaps I'm missing something in this discussion, but if one has sinus congestion/irritation, either episodic or ongoing, there indeed are oral medications that may facilitate equalization. These include decongestants like pseudoephedrine (e.g., Sudafed Original), antihistamines such as fexofenadine (e.g., Allegra) and loratadine (e.g, Claritin) and combination products (e.g., Allegra-D, Claritin-D). Then of course there are nasal sprays such as oxymetazoline (e.g., Afrin) and the corticosteroids (e.g., Flonase, Nasacort). Even in some cases of congenitally abnormal Eustachian tubes such drugs may ease clearing.
Care to clarify your advice?
Regards,
DocVikingo
Doc Vikingo is right -- the VAST majority of people can learn to equalize simply, without medications. If you have a particular issue, like significant allergies, some medications can be helpful. But I'm with him -- go take your class and see if you have any problems. The video he posted is an excellent resource.
AND, just to muddy the waters even more (because who really needs 100 foot vis anyway?), there isn't a lot of evidence that any oral medication helps with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction. Guidelines from the AAP, AAFP and AAO-HNS, see numbers 5 and 11 particularly
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that systemic (oral) decongestants will help if you are diving and get an acute upper respiratory tract infection, or that antihistamines will help if your allergies are acting up. And systemic steroids will also help in acute cases, but are generally avoided due to side effects.
Nasal decongestants (e.g. Afrin) help with sinus equalization but not so much with the Eustachian tube, which is way in the back of the nose. Afrin only touches one end of it, if at all. But it is GREAT for avoiding sinus squeeze - just remember not to use it for more than three days, you can get addicted..
Nasal steroids take about a week to work, and are mainly for allergic nasal congestion.
But of course, TSandM and Doc Vikingo are correct that in certain circumstances, each of these drugs does have a place. However, most people can clear their ears with practice and the use of one or more equalization techniques...
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that systemic (oral) decongestants will help if you are diving and get an acute upper respiratory tract infection, or that antihistamines will help if your allergies are acting up. And systemic steroids will also help in acute cases, but are generally avoided due to side effects.
Nasal decongestants (e.g. Afrin) help with sinus equalization but not so much with the Eustachian tube, which is way in the back of the nose. Afrin only touches one end of it, if at all. But it is GREAT for avoiding sinus squeeze - just remember not to use it for more than three days, you can get addicted..
Nasal steroids take about a week to work, and are mainly for allergic nasal congestion.
But of course, TSandM and Doc Vikingo are correct that in certain circumstances, each of these drugs does have a place. However, most people can clear their ears with practice and the use of one or more equalization techniques...
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