Can't figure out my ears

[spencepb]

Let me start by saying that I am very new to diving and I have had some problems equalizing from day one. I could never get anything to happen using valsalva but I read all kinds of stuff on the internet and figured out the frenzel technique which helped a lot. I can get to the point where I can pop my ears on land sometimes, but it is still not consistent. The problem that I can't figure out is that every single time I dive I get a bubbling sensation in my ears almost like there is fluid in there. Sometimes when I get done with a dive I can hear and feel the bubbling every once in a while when I get home a few hours afterwords. This usually clears up fine but sometimes lasts until the next mourning. When I ascend, once my head reaches the surface my ears make all kinds of crazy noises and feelings, none of which are painful. On top of that I get yellow to dark orange mucus stuff coming out of my nose whenever I dive. I also recently started getting head aches upon decent. It is pretty inconsistent whether or not I will be able to equalize on a dive. Some days I can equalize fine, some days my left ear just wont pop at all. All Of my diving has been in 20 ft of water or less.

These are my methods of action:

First off I just thought I had no idea how to equalize, so I practiced different techniques until I just about got it. Went diving, and the problem stated above where there.

Next I thought maybe my ears are just screwed up, so I went to my ENT and he said my ears are perfectly fine. He prescribed some spray stuff. Tried that, same problem.

Next I tried Sudafed, afrin, Neti Pots, same issues.

So the only other things I could think of that could be affecting my equalization are technique and the speed and or angle of the descent as well as the position of my head during the descent. Considering these things and working on them has really helped my ability to equalize, but I still get the symptoms described above.

If anyone has ever had any of these symptoms or knows anything that can be done to help it would be greatly appreciated as I am sort of at a road block here.

 

[azapa]

how long has this been happening? it just sounds like you have a cold and are a little blocked up. Even a little snot, if pushed the wrong way, can mess up your Eustachian tubes. Never try to equalize if you feel goop back there. Try to hack it all out then try, gently, to EQ. If it does not work try neti and the like.

My ears squeek amd pop a little too on the way up, they are just de-equalizing with the reduction in water pressure, its normal.

 

[Lil Dragonfly]

Sudafed is bad for freediving (it's a stimulant, and shortens breathholds).

I always get noises when I equalize too.

 

[Mr. X]

It's always worth getting your GP to check to make sure nothing is amiss.

I sometimes get a similar bubbly noises in my sinuses/eustachian tubes while diving around this time of year. Mine is probably mucus from a mild allergy to some pollens (maple?). I had a CAT-scan in the USA as it was causing some nasty headaches & they said the inside of the sinuses were inflamed and recommended over-the-counter Sudafed (which I didn't take); some people have far more serious reactions to tree/grass pollen though. If i get really congested, I don't dive - and would recommend the same to you - too hard to clear and too uncomfortable and you risk: ear infection, damaging your ear-drums/hearing, possibly worse. I believe that ear infections can occur if you end up forcing mucus along your eustachian tubes into your inner ears & it gets stuck and decays there (in which case, see your GP).

Anti-inflammatories can help take the edge off the inflammation, I use asprin or ibuprofen* if I'm in pain (*warning: 20% of asthmatics are highly allergic to ibuprofen). I usually take 2 asprin as it is cheap, effective and arguably has other health benefits. However, I find a single ibuprofen incredibly effective for severe muscle soreness (and I weigh 230lb). Naproxin Sodium is even stronger however, I only take that on doctors' orders (and only for muscle tears so far - for which it is very effective) although it is available off-the-shelf in the USA.

Early spring is not a problem and mine usually clears up early in the Summer (after the Spring bloom clears). Swimming/diving in the sea often helps, as the salt water tends to clear out the gunk. Running can help clear mucus from your chest too ("hack it all out" as Azapa says). If you are wearing a dive mask and feeling blocked up, I'd suggest taking time to lift your mask and clear your nose & sinuses - that can make a huge, instant difference. Don't dive deep if you are having problems/discomfort - that's asking for trouble and not much fun.

I prefer to equalise by swallowing/gulping gently, "popping my ears" by dropping my jaw or waggling my jaw side-ways (there are probably fancy names for these techniques**) but if that doesn't seem to be working well enough I pinch my nose & blow (Valsalva?), that seems like a "brute force" approach and if that didn't work, I'd stop diving and clear out my nose & sinuses.

**Interesting link describing fancy techniques and names: Prevention of Middle Ear Barotrauma

 

[Lil Dragonfly]

1. The best thing for clearing congestion is mangosteen juice, hands down. It is the only thing I've found strong enough to work for me, and I've tried just about every other option there is (I have severe allergies). I put some more info on it in the other thread.

2. Antihistamine medications. There are lots you can find over the counter. Claritin, Benadryl, Zyrtec, Chlor-trimeton, etc.

Note: The older antihistamines (Benadryl etc.) increase risk of blackout. I always dive with trained buddies who are very responsible about watching me closely, so I personally don't mind diving on them. But if this bothers you, stick to the non-narcotic newer antihistamines (Claritin etc.)

3. Saltwater rinses. Most people use neti pots. What I use is a syringe, I find it is more user-friendly (you can control how fast the water comes out, plus there isn't a big hole for all the water to pour out of if you're not careful). Again, check out the "neti pots" thread.

As I mentioned before, Sudafed will shorten your breathholds. Yes both allergists and scuba instructors recommend it to people for congestion, however they know nothing about freediving. So try the options above before you resort to it.

Hope this helps

 

[Mr. X]

1. The best thing for clearing congestion is mangosteen juice, hands down...

2. Antihistamine medications. There are lots you can find over the counter. Claritin, Benadryl, Zyrtec, Chlor-trimeton, etc.

Note: The older antihistamines (Benadryl etc.) increase risk of blackout. I always dive with trained buddies who are very responsible about watching me closely, so I personally don't mind diving on them. But if this bothers you, stick to the non-narcotic newer antihistamines (Claritin etc.)
...

Although Benadryl is widely used, I once had to take somebody to hospital ER who had taken over-the-counter Benadryl in the USA for the first time - so I would recommend consulting a GP first (there were previously unknown complicating and complicated factors). Coincidently I was speaking to a former hayfever sufferer last night (related to the person mentioned above) and he is currently taking Claritin and symptom free.

By the way, competitive athletes should be aware that using pseudo ephedrine (as in sudafed) is banned in many sports - it's a stimulent - and will typically cause an athlete to fail a drugs test. I believe the Chinese herb ma huang is similar.

 

[spencepb]

azapa: It has been happening ever since I started about late April. Like I said I just started so it is going to be interesting to see if I have these symptoms into the summer and fall. Every morning when I wake up I am extremely congested and it takes a few hours to clear up, but after that throughout the day I feel clear and fine. I am beginning to think it is maybe something in my room.

Thanks for confirming all the noises and feelings on ascent! I think the hood has a lot to do with amplifying the sounds coming out of my ears.

Lil Dragonfly: Thanks for the heads up, I will stick to mangosteen juice and antihistamine medications. I did notice a huge difference in my heart rate and breath holds while on sudafed. Thank you for the help!

Mr. X: Its good to hear that someone else experiences this bubbling non sense, perhaps its only congestion as in your case. I will try some anti-inflammatories as well.


Come to think of it I never used to notice that yellow to dark orange color mucus before I used the medication, maybe they have something to do with it.

 

[azapa]

I can hear you on that "something in my room" thing. I don't have alergues but feel for those who do. Maybe a plant or tree nearby?

Also: diet. Avoid mucus making foods, milks, creams etc. Also avoid junk foods such as processed meats (those hot dog sausages, processed burgers etc) are full of crap and will mess you up.

Most freediving courses will tackle diet, rest, breathing etc even at the first level. They are a very good investment, try to find one near you or travel a little.

EDIT: i really would avoid drugs to sort the problem out until really you have no other option. ENT guys, unless you find one who is a diver, rarely seem to help either. Go slow and you'll work it out solo.