Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: MissMontana on 18/09/2003 22:14:43
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I'm new to scuba diving but often suffer with terrible sinus headaches for a couple of days after diving even if I don't feel like I have a cold. Someone suggested that I use a steroid based nasal spray prior to diving, does anyone have any advice or opinons on this?
ta
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I've been scuba diving for many years and I wouldn't recommend to anyone that a nose spray of any kind be used prior to diving (or at any time for that matter). It's more likely that you are suffering from a build up of mucas and as you descend, the air within your body cavities compresses and forces this mucas further up your nasal passage than would be normal. This compressed mucas, jammed up your sinuses, is what's causing your headaches. I would suggest that you treat the mucas problem prior to diving and you will enjoy the diving experience even more. One of the medicos may be able to give a better explanation.
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I forgot to say that you should not use nasal sprays or cold or allergy medication prior to diving at any time because the chemicals in these medications react differently under pressure than they would normally.
Again, I call on one of the experts to explain why, because I can't remember.
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A friend of mine used to take sudafed (pseudoephedrine) pre-dive to clear her eustachian tubes. Used to work too. Not sure about the safety aspects of that though...
Chris
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
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Thanks, I'll give that a go