Although you can dive if you have a little cold or allergies, or even if you’ve got a bit of a sore throat, it is probably best to wait until you feel one hundred percent better before diving at all. The ears and sinus cavities are extremely sensitive structures, and any time they are affected by illness, staying out of the water can help to prevent pressure damage. You should know that if you do suffer any kind of barotrauma, you will need to stay out of the water until it is fully healed. Let’s take a closer look at sinus congestion and other common problems.
Sinus and Ear Congestion
The sinuses are a group of four air-filled cavities located above and behind the eyes (just below the brain pan) and to either side of the nostrils, just behind your cheek bones. They are surprisingly roomy inside, and when healthy, they help us to breathe properly, aid in our sense of smell, and even affect our sense of taste.
The sinus ostea, or ear openings, which lead into the Eustachian tubes, are normally wide open and are usually blocked only by very severe congestion.
Sinus and ear congestion can be painful on its own; so, imagine the pain that can be caused when you enter a pressurized environment, and imagine the pain that can happen when you’re not able to equalize properly on ascent, due to congestion; this alone ought to be enough to keep you out of the water.
Treating Congestion
There are a number of over the counter remedies available for treating congestion, particularly for keeping problems caused by allergies at bay. The best are available by prescription only; despite the possibility that you’ll pay a little more for them, they are well worth the cost since they do not cross the blood-brain barrier and they do not cause drowsiness. OTC decongestants can speed up your heart rate and cause mouth and nasal dryness, so if this is a problem for you, you’re going to want to stay out of the water if your bodily functions are affected even a little bit. Don’t risk your safety or that of your dive buddy by going out when you’re not feeling quite right.
Tympanic Membrane Ruptures
If the tympanic membrane has ruptured, either due to diving or due to some other accident, you will need to wait until it has healed before diving again. While some ruptures heal on their own, some require surgery to repair. Do not dive until your doctor provides his or her approval; the usual healing time is about two months.
Ear, Nose, or Throat Surgery
There are a number of different ENT surgeries, both therapeutic and cosmetic, which are performed; middle ear surgery and inner ear surgery can keep you out of pressurized environments for months, and if you require surgery because of a previous dive injury, your doctor may advise you against diving at all. In some cases, dive physicians permit diving after ENT surgery so long as balance, hearing, and equalization are not problematic. Any type of surgery, including sinus surgery, must be completely healed before diving is considered.
If ear, nose, or throat issues are causing concern for you, be sure to discuss your concerns with your doctor and follow his or her advice. Long-term problems with everything from hearing to balance can occur due to barotrauma; don’t risk it.