Inner Ear Problems
Inner Ear BarotraumaStraining or a forceful Valsalva can cause rupture of the round or oval window , as first described by Fred Pullen in 1971. This results in a fistula…
Otitis Externa
QueriesDear Doctor, I have been diving for almost 10 years and surfing for about 15. I have always had a problem with water in my ears. It is particularly a…
Middle Ear Barotrauma
Middle ear barotrauma is caused by the inability of the diver to clear the space in the middle ear through the Eustachian tube and has been described by MacFie and…
Vertigo
Vertigo or Dizziness?True vertigo or inner ear balance disturbance is often confused with other vague problems with balance such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, swaying or overbreathing. The differentiation is sometimes…
ENT Guidelines for the Medical Examination of Scuba Divers
ENT AnatomyThe EarThe external ear canal is a blind tube ending with the ear drum. The cerumen, or wax, is slightly acid and has a protective function. The ear drum…
Chronic Adverse Effects of Diving on Genetics and Reproduction
GENETICSIn a study which was funded by the U.K. Departmentof Energy (Fox et al, 1984) blood was taken from more than 150 divers and an equal number of control subjects.…
The Thyroid and Diving
The thyroid gland secretes thyroxin which is a hormone that helps control the rate at which we burn up carbohydrates (metabolic rate). Too much thyroxin causes hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis) --- too…
Diabetes and Diving
Diabetes Mellitus: Insulin dependent diabetics represent a gamut of severity; from the more brittle diabetic who should not dive to a less serious one which should not increase the hypoglycemia…
Cutaneous Manifestations of Decompression Sickness
PruritisCarl Edmonds feels that this is a common manifestation of diving in a compression chamber, most likely due to the release of small bubbles from gas dissolved in the epidermis.…
Neoprene Allergy
Neoprene allergy is seen quite often and the obvious remedy is to discontinue it's use and obtain any other kind of wet suit that serves the purpose of thermal protection.…