pressure and headache after diving

[Zeagle Eagle]

Check with a Dive Doc. Get a professional opinion and have him look in your ears, nose throat etc. It is too risky to chance anything. Why ruin a good a good sport for yourself. It's probably nothing (sinus squeeze, mask squeeze etc) but why take a chance.

[Zeagle Eagle]

I googled this and found:

NOSEBLEED:
Nosebleeds are common in divers. Nosebleeds during descent are due to mask squeeze. Failure to equalize the pressure in the mask to match the water pressure creates a relative "vacuum" in the mask and nasal passages. This can make fragile blood vessels in the nasal membranes break. These nosebleeds can usually be prevented by slow descent and frequent equalization of the mask. If nosebleeds still occur on descent, they are due to "sinus squeeze" -- unequal pressure between the sinuses and the nasal passages. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (sample brand, Sudafed) can help.
Nosebleeds during ascent are usually due to congested sinus openings, causing "reverse" sinus squeeze. Higher pressure in a plugged sinus pushes the membranes around the sinus opening outward, causing a tear. Ascent nosebleeds can usually be prevented by slowing the ascent, and using decongestants prior to diving.
If nosebleeds consistently occur on one side (despite use of oral decongestants and proper ascent/descent speeds and mask equalization) you can try a decongestant nasal spray (sample brand, Afrin) about an hour prior to diving, used only in the nostril that bleeds. Expect some rebound congestion in that nostril about 18 hours later.
If a nosebleed doesn't stop promptly as you exit the water, pinch the entire soft part of the nose shut for 15 minutes. If blood runs down the back of your throat, or if bleeding resumes when you release the pinch, blow all blood and clots out of the nose, then spray the bleeding nostril several times with a decongestant spray. Then pinch the nose again for 15 minutes.
DIVER'S HEADACHE:
Diver's headache can have several causes. These include neck muscle headache, hyperventilation vascular headache, sinus headache, fume headache, tension headache, dehydration headache, hypertensive headache, and (worst case) decompression illness. The best treatment for any of these headaches is prevention. If you commonly get a headache while diving, try to identify the cause, then eliminate it.
Neck muscle headache: This headache usually starts at the back of the head, but can become generalized. It usually begins gradually after a couple of dives. It's caused by chronically tilting the head up during the dive -- for example, looking upward while swimming horizontally. The muscles where the back of the head meets the neck may be tender to touch. Ibuprofen (up to 800 mg every 6 to 8 hours) and ice packs can help.
Hyperventilation vascular headache: This is a pounding headache that can occur at any time during or after a dive. The cause is breathing more rapidly that you should (hyperventilation). So it's more common in free-divers than scuba divers. Reduced carbon dioxide levels during hyperventilation lead to constriction of the blood vessels of the brain. When the vessels relax again, they often dilate and throbbing pain begins. Sensitivity to light and nausea are common. Caffeine is often very helpful for this type of headache, when combined with ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen.
Sinus headache: This headache begins with congested sinus openings, so the sinuses don't equalize during descent or ascent. The pain is usually most intense in the face area, and often begins as an ache in the cheekbone, eye, or forehead. Besides ibuprofen (800 mg), use a nasal decongestant spray (example Afrin) to unplug the sinus. If blood and pus-like material come out your nose, you have progressed from sinus congestion to sinusitis -- and you will need antibiotics.
Fume headache: Diesel fumes. You need clean air.
Tension headache: "Ordinary" generalized pressure-type headache due to travel hassles, disrupted sleep patterns, and altered activity patterns. Treat with rest, fluids, and an analgesic such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Dehydration headache: This headache throbs when you stand up. It seems to be better when you lie down. Often, you may have a "head rush" when you first stand up. The headache occurs because decreased blood vessel volume lets the brain "sag" down when you're upright. Alcohol, caffeine, and snug wet suits make this headache more likely. (Alcohol and caffeine act as diuretics, flushing extra water out through the kidney. Wet suits compress the veins of the skin, pushing blood into the central circulation. This fools the body into thinking there's too much fluid in circulation, so it orders the kidney to eliminate some -- which causes the familiar need to pee in the wetsuit.) Treatment is rest and lots of fluids.
Hypertensive headache: Some divers are sensitive to decongestant medicines such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylpropranolamine. The blood pressure can jump up significantly. Combine struggling with heavy tanks and cumbersome wet suits, and a hypertensive headache develops. This headache often comes on during the physical activity, and eases once you slow down. Have your blood pressure checked during the headache. If it's elevated, stop activity until it goes away. Avoid decongestants in the future.
Decompression headache: Any new headache after diving accompanied by a neurological symptom (blind spot, localized weakness, numbness or tingling, etc) should be considered a symptom of decompression illness until proven otherwise. You need immediate medical attention -- and probably a compression chamber.

[TRiggER2117]

thank you all of you for your help. I read up on it and after i posted im now pretty sure I had an ear squeeze and I think what ill do next time on ascent is go up VERY SLOWLY and wait until i actually feel my ears clear up before I ascend anymore. and if they start hurting Ill go down a few feet wiggle my jaw and lean my head left and right until I feel better.

everything you guys have said have been VERY helpful and I appreciate all of it. thanks


EDIT: not an ear squeeze a reverse squeeze cause my ears only started hurting on the way up

[GFD113]

Ive had the ear problem a couple of times. I had an ear infection and didnt even know it. Sometimes you can have a middle or inner ear infection and have no signs or symptoms till you try to dive.

[scubasamurai]

i recommend giving DAN a call on their question line and speaking with someone who can answer those questions. i also would ask them for a referral to an ENT who specializes in dive injuries. you could have several issues that may be causing the pain. get it checked out

[tlt]

There has been some great advice here. I guess some things that I would mention, besides a decongestant (I like benaydrl) an hour before a dive, when stuffiness is a possibility. Consider going at your own pace, and not being pressured. Equalize early and often, and do not anyone rush you. This is maybe more difficult in your checkout dives, etc. but you need to operate at your own pace, it may take longer for some than others. If people are rushing you, you can't enjoy it. Do what you need to do for you, and if that means taking an extra minute ascending or descending, then do it. You might also consider a purge mask... I like to breathe out of my nose, during a dive, which helps keeping things open and equal.