physiology Q2> acid reflux / stomach upset while diving?

[Salt]

I also have noticed that i frequently get an upset stomach while diving. It doesn't feel like nausea. It is more like acid in my stomach, some belching. I have occasionally felt like I have had to throw up but never have. Thank goodness regulators are designed to let you vomit through them.

This happens under varying conditions. I try not to eat much now. But it happens with juice, banana bread, eggs and toast, or nothing at all.

Any explanation is appreciated? any suggestions to alleviate are too.

 

[TMHeimer]

I've read that those getting seasick on the boat trip out usually feel better once underwater. Have read it is rare for diving to create the problem but that it does happen. The obvious first thing to try would be some anti-nausea medication. Don't know about the acid vs. nausea feeling, but you did say you feel like throwing up. Maybe a diving doctor would know?

 

[scagrotto]

I think the jury is still out, but there may be a relationship between stress and stomach acid. If you're feeling a bit nervous about diving perhaps that's at least part of the cause.

 

[Pedro Burrito]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Moved from Basic to Diving Medicine

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---------- Post added May 27th, 2014 at 12:24 AM ----------

I used to have acid reflux. Many times, I had to fight vomiting in my truck while on my way to the quarry early in the morning. I also did vomit through my regulator while at 48'. After a few visits with my doctor and then with a GI specialist, I was told to modify my diet. What was the food I stopped ingesting? Black tea and Zonebars! I haven't had acid reflux since.

 

[MB NZ]

Seasickness/motion, head down aspect when diving; swallowed gas and of course, those night before beers!

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

There is some literature that documents increased pressure in the esophagus with immersion in an upright position.

Influence of Full-body Water Imme... [J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI
Gastroesophageal dynamics during immersion in... [J Appl Physiol. 1975] - PubMed - NCBI

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Salt]

I am pretty sure it is not nervousness or anxiety. I am an experienced diver and feel pretty relaxed most of the time.

I dont think it is garden variety seasickness either because isnt that supposed to get better underwater? (I do have an inner ear condition from an old sports injury that could possibly cause nausea under certain circumstances - but I am inquiring more about an acid reflux type condition than general nausea. )

I read somewhere that a diver can get compressed air in to his stomach. When the air expands it can force open the sphincters that keep the stomach closed, allowing acid up in to the esophagus. This sounds more like what is happening to me. I do notice I often have to burp underwater, which would support this theory.

 

[Doctorfish]

Salt, I think that the burping is related to air swallowing which in turn may be due to unrecognized anxiety. What you described earlier suggested acid reflux. At depth, the amount of air in your stomach should decrease in volume, not increase.
In any case, if you take an over the counter, Proton Pump Inhibitor, it should decrease the acid level in your stomach and decrease the symptoms.

 

[TSandM]

It's really hard to diagnose on the internet.

Burning heartburn or indigestion, combined with sour fluid in the mouth, could be reflux, perhaps aggravated by assuming a horizontal position in the water, and therefore losing gravity's ability to assist the lower esophageal sphincter mechanism.

Burning indigestion and nausea when immersed into cold water, or while swimming, could be coronary artery disease. We don't know your age, and such problems are rampant. Do you ever get similar symptoms while exerting on land?

Nausea and sour fluid in the mouth could be motion sickness. Do you get it when shore diving, or just on boats?

There are a lot of details that go into trying to sort out what a set of symptoms might portend.

 

[seashell]

Do you ever get heartburn on land or while laying in bed?