Migraines?
As far as diving with migraine is concerned--there is mixed opinion as to the proper thing to do. Some think it to be an absolute contraindication to diving, others think it to not be a significant problem. The migraine following a dive might be difficult to distinguish from decompression sickness and can possibly be provoked by CO2 retention in a diver. Some divemasters and instructors will disallow diving in migrainous people.The dive master's choice not to allow you to dive is perfectly reasonable. Headache from sinus barotrauma is an entirely different situation. See our web page "Headaches associated with SCUBA Diving" at
http://www.scuba-doc.com/headache.html .
Because migraine can cause fainting in some (mostly adolescents), the loss of consciousness would be particularly dangerous underwater. It can also cause severe vertigo, nausea and vomiting and can be produced rapidly by swimming.
Migraine with neurological symptoms or signs is a definite contraindication in the commercial diver.
Migraine may be precipitated by a rise in barometric pressure, among a host of other things. Medications taken for migraine, such as Naproxyn, can cause dizziness and drowsiness which, in combination with the narcotic effects of nitrogen, might also might have adverse effects on the diver.
Migraine with aura has been found to be significantly associated with patent foramen ovale, thought to be a factor in the causation of undeserved decompression accidents. This can be found at the following reference:
Neurology 1999 May 12;52(8):1622-5
Potential source of cerebral embolism in migraine with aura: a transcranial Doppler study.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10331688&dopt=Abstract
Here is a recent reference about headache in divers: There is a recent article in Headache, Vol. 41, Number 3, March 2001; pages 235-247, Headache in Divers, by William P. Cheshire and Michael C. Ott.
Migraine Link
http://www.ama-assn.org/insight/spec_con/migraine/howis.htm
References from Medline
Indo T, 1990
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=2228597&form=6&db=m&Dopt=r
Swimmer's migraine.
Headache 30(8), 485-487 (1990)
Indo T, 1989
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=2805510&form=6&db=m&Dopt=r
Swimming induced vascular headache
Rinsho Shinkeigaku 29(7), 876-879 (1989)
Kim JS, 1992
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=1285928&form=6&db=m&Dopt=r
Swimming headache followed by exertional and coital headaches.
J Korean Med Sci 7(3), 276-279 (1992)
Mizoguchi K, 1990
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=2097442&form=6&db=m&Dopt=r
Benign exertional headaches induced by swimming.
Best regards for safe diving!
Ern Campbell, MD
Diving Medicine Online
http://www.scuba-doc.com/
"There is nothing-- absolutely nothing-- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats!" --'Water Rat' to 'Mole' in 'The Wind in the Willows' --Kenneth Grahme