Nasal Congestion

[NYCDiveGuy]

Hello,

I am about to start my OW course, and after reading the book I became worried about equalizing etc....

I often notice that thought I breathe fine through my nose, I tend to have one nostril partially plugged up. Air flows through this nostril is I close my clear nostril, but usually air will only flow through my open nostril. I've also noticed that if I force my plugged nostril to clear, the other "open" nostril will plug up some.

I've always considered this normal, but am now curious if this is abnormal. Also, more specifically, will this interfere with diving?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Eric

 

[ParamedicDiver1]

Eric, you may want to consult with an ENT doctor or a Dive Doctor to be sure all is well...sinus squeeze, which can happen while diving, can be painful! Also be sure you can equalize your ears as well. You may get lucky and only need Afrin, but a MD should check you out first. Hope that helps.

 

[cyclical]

My allergist has told me that the body cycles back and forth between which nostril is "fully" open and which one is partially "blocked".

 

[doctormike]

That is true (I'm an ENT doc)... there is something called the nasal cycle, in which the turbinates (the fleshy shelves on the inside wall of the nose) alternatively swell, so that many people will have problems breathing through one side and then the other.

People have varying abilities to ventilate their ears and their sinuses, and the bottom line is that there is no ENT exam that will tell you for sure if you can do it.

However, you will figure it out quickly at your first pool session. Remember, the biggest change in pressure on a percentage basis, remember, is near the surface. Sometimes an ENT exam will turn up something that will make diving not advisable (like serious ear disease), but for most people the best test is to try it out in a pool.

Good luck, and have fun!

Mike

 

[darkwaterz]

I had to take sudomyl medication to be able to go diving..the nasal congestion is just a killer...couldnt have been worst..last time under water I thought I would die, but since I'm taking the medication, I guess it's really helping me gradually, though not instantly. Everything takes time..but I wish I wud b cured of it once for all..eek..