Sinus troubles

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Deckn

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Messages
16
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Location
Galveston, Texas, United States
# of dives
50 - 99
Ive been having some trouble with the sinuses lately usually i can still equalize but the last few days its been difficult. I dove with my school today (AAUS training through A&M) and wasn't able to equalize at all. Luckily we were just doing navigation work so i just didn't go deep. I'm supposed to be leaving Saturday for Florida for a week of diving. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this fast? Ive tried alot of the over the counter stuff and sinus rinses and nothing is seeming to work. Any suggestions?
 
I'll ask that this be moved to the Dive Medicine forum for better coverage. You might add more about your related medical history, what exactly you are using by drug rather than brand name, and watch this video: Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page
 
I'm sorry to hear about your sinus problems.

Could you please clarify something? Sinuses are generally passively equalized. There really aren't any techniques to equalize them beyond keeping them clear, inflammation-free, etc. One example of sinus squeeze is an icepick-like, sharp pain that can occur in the forehead (above/around eye). This usually occurs as you are descending.

In contrast, several different methods exist to equalize the middle ear space. If you aren't able to equalize the pressure on both sides of the ear drum, you will feel pain during the descent.

So are you having trouble equalizing your ears, sinuses, or both?
 
Im not having any sinus issues while diving, just out of the water Ive had alot of congestion and sinus pressure. while doing pool dives or open water today Ive noticed its been harder and harder to equalize my ears in the water and as of the last few days i haven't been able to equalize at all on the surface or in the water. One of the instructors mentioned it might be a sinus swelling that's blocking my eustachian tubes from equalizing
 
I guess i posted this in the wrong forum so Ill repost it here

Ive been having some trouble with the sinuses lately usually i can still equalize but the last few days its been difficult. I dove with my school today (AAUS training through A&M) and wasn't able to equalize at all. Luckily we were just doing navigation work so i just didn't go deep. I'm supposed to be leaving Saturday for Florida for a week of diving. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this fast? Ive tried alot of the over the counter stuff and sinus rinses and nothing is seeming to work. Any suggestions?

For clarification Im not having any sinus issues while diving, just out of the water Ive had alot of congestion and sinus pressure. while doing pool dives or open water today Ive noticed its been harder and harder to equalize my ears in the water and as of the last few days i haven't been able to equalize at all on the surface or in the water. One of the instructors mentioned it might be a sinus swelling that's blocking my eustachian tubes from equalizing
 
Im not having any sinus issues while diving, just out of the water Ive had alot of congestion and sinus pressure. while doing pool dives or open water today Ive noticed its been harder and harder to equalize my ears in the water and as of the last few days i haven't been able to equalize at all on the surface or in the water. One of the instructors mentioned it might be a sinus swelling that's blocking my eustachian tubes from equalizing
Any other topside symptoms related to your sinuses or ears? Fever? Cough? Itchy eyes? Nasal discharge? Ear ringing? Muffled hearing? Dizziness? History of allergies? Have you had these sinus/ear problems previously?

How long have you been congested?

Which over-the-counter decongestants have you tried? Did anything seem to work...even a little?

Have you tried the Neti-pot yet? It's a saline irrigation device that acts as a mild decongestant.
 
i have had alot of cold like symptoms with nasal discharge and a history of allergies. The current meds ive tried for this is Claritin D, Sudafed, Musinex, Nasonex and I have the neti pot and use it regularly. Ive never really had any history of these issues though although I did have surgery last year in the spring for a deviated septum that stemmed from a broken nose.
 
Greetings Decken and I know how you feel! In the beginning of my diving I struggled with sinus issues and it has come to visit from time to time. One thing has made it possible for me to dive often and train for more advanced dives.
E.N.T. "Ears, Nose, and Throat Specialist" if you are lucky like I was I found a ENT who dives and understood the drug interactions for diving. I have recommended this to all divers not just the allergy / sinus divers. I assure you that at one time or another a diver will have issues that will merit a ENT visit. It just makes sense to have one set up to keep issues in check and at bay. I visit every six months to evaluate meds and if allergies are under control.
Go see one and you will be amazed at how much more enjoyable dives can be!
Good luck and keep us posted.
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!
 
What's the color of the nasal discharge: green, yellow, or clear?
Is the discharge thick and/or foul-smelling?
What specific "cold like symptoms" have you had?

The reason I'm asking these questions is because, if you have a bacterial infection, you may benefit from antibiotic therapy.

Please note that it's very possible that you have the common cold, which is an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. Technically speaking, antibiotics will not be effective against a viral infection. Sometimes the common cold can lead to a sinus infection, which may involve the same virus or perhaps an opportunistic bacterium. The right antibiotic might be effective against the latter.

Under normal circumstances, a wait-and-see approach would be advisable since common colds and sinus infections in the vast majority of cases are self-limiting. Since you're planning on going on a scuba trip in the near future and want/need results right away, seeing a doctor about this might result in getting a prescription for a course of antibiotics. This could be helpful.

For sinus infections, decongestants can help. It sounds like you have a small pharmacy at your disposal. :) Use whatever seems to work best. Regular use of the Neti-pot can be helpful (and that's what you're already doing). Steam and hot showers can also loosen up the mucus a little.

Antihistamines such as Claritin (loratidine) will provide relief if there's an allergic component to your problem. The "D" part of "Claritin D" is pseudoephedrine, which acts as a decongestant. Considering your history of allergies, I think Claritin D was a good 2-for-1 choice.

[Edited later: I see that doctormike has already posted in a cross-listed thread. He's an ENT. If you have any specific questions, ask him. :) ]
 
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I guess i posted this in the wrong forum so Ill repost it here

Ive been having some trouble with the sinuses lately usually i can still equalize but the last few days its been difficult. I dove with my school today (AAUS training through A&M) and wasn't able to equalize at all. Luckily we were just doing navigation work so i just didn't go deep. I'm supposed to be leaving Saturday for Florida for a week of diving. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this fast? Ive tried alot of the over the counter stuff and sinus rinses and nothing is seeming to work. Any suggestions?

For clarification Im not having any sinus issues while diving, just out of the water Ive had alot of congestion and sinus pressure. while doing pool dives or open water today Ive noticed its been harder and harder to equalize my ears in the water and as of the last few days i haven't been able to equalize at all on the surface or in the water. One of the instructors mentioned it might be a sinus swelling that's blocking my eustachian tubes from equalizing

Hi, Deckn.... thanks for writing..!

Nothing really to add that hasn't been posted here many times before - the usual tricks apply (go slow, try equalizing in a few feet of water before doing a dive, be wary of reverse blocks, see an ENT doc if your problems persist), and the usual controversies will soon be brought out (decongestants: risks vs. benefits), as well as a number of adjuvant remedies (such as the Neti-Pot, hydration, etc..). Steroids will actually help with this, but most people avoid the large systemic doses of steroids that it would take to get an effect unless extreme circumstances are present - you are not a Navy Seal, are you? :)

You will find many long discussion of these issues here on this forum, but the bottom line is that there is rarely a quick trick to reventilate the sinuses, and specific treatment depends on accurate diagnosis (acute sinusitis? allergies? anatomic problems?).

Just one common point of confusion. The sinuses are air filled spaces that drain into the middle portion of the nose. The ears are air filled spaces that drain into the back portion of the nose. The same sorts of things (sinusitis, allergies, etc..) can impair drainage of both of those spaces, but apart from a huge antrochoanal polyp (a rare thing - a big polyp that comes out of the sinus and extends back towards the mouth) they don't really affect each other. They are actually pretty far apart. A minor point, but just thought that I would bring it up!

Good luck,

Mike
 
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