The Subtle Health Effects Of Diving

[dkatchalov]

So we all know about the obvious health risks of diving. There is DCS, AGE, ear and sinus problems, etc. that can all occur if we are not careful when diving (sometimes they occur even if we are careful!). All these problems are generally evident soon after we complete a dive/series of dives and can be treated immediately given that the symptoms are apparent.

What about the long-term, subtle effect(s) that scuba has on our health? What does scuba do to our bodies that we may not notice for many years and then realise when it is too late. Is it something that we can prevent or is it inevitable?

Looking for your personal experience, knowledge, etc.

Thanks!

 

[TSandM]

Well, there are a couple of long term health problems that are fairly well known. Cold water osteomas in the ears (bony growths) usually don't cause symptoms. They occur after long periods of exposure to cold water.

More problematic is avascular necrosis of bone, though to be as a result of DCS occurring silently in bony structures. This is primarily a disease of commercial or saturation divers, although it also occurs in technical divers who've had long careers.

There are some studies showing areas that look like tiny strokes in the brains of long-term divers. I believe these were also commercial divers that were studied.

There are, based on these findings, concerns about diving affecting the growth and bone health of children, which is part of the reason for the age limits for certification. In addition, there are some data suggesting that diving during pregnancy can have negative effects on the fetus.

Those are the ones I'm aware of, off the top of my head.

 

[dkatchalov]

Thanks TSandM, very informative post.

 

[cudachaser]

I may become a poster child for this after 5000+ dives

Joe

Well, there are a couple of long term health problems that are fairly well known. Cold water osteomas in the ears (bony growths) usually don't cause symptoms. They occur after long periods of exposure to cold water.

More problematic is avascular necrosis of bone, though to be as a result of DCS occurring silently in bony structures. This is primarily a disease of commercial or saturation divers, although it also occurs in technical divers who've had long careers.

There are some studies showing areas that look like tiny strokes in the brains of long-term divers. I believe these were also commercial divers that were studied.

There are, based on these findings, concerns about diving affecting the growth and bone health of children, which is part of the reason for the age limits for certification. In addition, there are some data suggesting that diving during pregnancy can have negative effects on the fetus.

Those are the ones I'm aware of, off the top of my head.

 

[Skull]

Explains why so many LDS owners are a little off center ...I just attributed it to sucking on compressed Nitrogen ....

 

[spacemanspiff1974]

I've found that sunburns can occur during surface intervals.

 

[Gene_Hobbs]

Nice post TSandM.

To add some reading suggestions to her post...

The classic NIOSH review was published in 1976 and has many things to think about.

National Plan for the Safety and Health of Divers in Their Quest for Subsea Energy.
Shilling and Beckett. NIOSH Contract 210-75-0078. 1976
RRR ID: 4085 (note: even the smaller version is a big file)

Diving Medical Texts are always a good start. I am partial to Chapter 11 in the B&E's Physiology and Medicine of Diving (Fifth edition edited by Brubakk and Neuman).

The topics mentioned in TSandM's post can each be found as abstracts and papers in the repository (sample search).

 

[Kevfin]

Nice post TSandM.

Agreed.

Thank you Lynne

 

[do it easy]

Here's a link about the long term effects of scuba diving:

Long-term Effects of Sport Diving

 

[Kevfin]

Here's a link about the long term effects of scuba diving:

Long-term Effects of Sport Diving

Interesting read... thanks to you too... :blinking:

I think the best line is from the conclusion:

More research is needed, but the world is filled with many divers who have been diving for over 40 years who show no unusual deterioration in their abilities which would affect their quality of life...