It is common to hear stories of people failing to equalize their ears or suffering ear pain from not doing so while diving, but few people know about "sinus squeeze," the pain felt deep between the eyebrows.
This time, we will introduce you to the "sinus squeeze," which even experienced divers may have experienced.
Learn about the causes and prevention methods so you can enjoy pain-free and enjoyable diving.
■What is sinus squeeze? What causes it?
Sinus squeeze refers to pain between the eyebrows or behind the nose.
The sinuses are the hollow paranasal cavities in the skull.
The sinuses allow air to pass through and also serve to equalize the pressure underwater when you dive, so you generally won't experience pain between your eyebrows or in the back of your nose when you dive underwater.
So why does sinus squeeze occur?
- Symptoms of a cold, allergic rhinitis, or sinusitis are seen
Sinus squeeze occurs when air cannot get through your sinuses.
Possible causes include a cold, allergic rhinitis, or sinusitis.
When inflammation causes the sinus cavities to close, the pressure inside the body cannot be equalized and the surrounding tissues become damaged.
Even if you don't feel any inflammation on land, the effects become more pronounced underwater where the pressure is greater.
- Had a lot of alcohol the previous day
Alcohol is considered to be a factor that worsens nasal congestion because it impairs water metabolism and increases the viscosity of mucus during inflammation.
Therefore, consuming a lot of alcohol the day before diving can cause nasal congestion and make you more susceptible to sinus squeeze.
・I'm feeling tired
Continuous diving puts more strain on the body than you might think.
Many people find that fatigue builds up and makes them feel unwell.
When the body starts to show signs of fatigue, it can develop transient acute rhinitis, which can lead to sinus squeeze due to fatigue.
■Can sinus squeezes be prevented like ear clearing?
Unfortunately, sinus squeezes cannot change sinus pressure on your own like clearing your ears can, so it's difficult to prevent this.
However, this does not mean that there is no way to deal with it at all.
If you are going to dive, make sure you get plenty of sleep and are in top physical condition before you go.
If you avoid drinking alcohol the day before and avoid diving if you have even a slight cold symptom, you can enjoy pain-free diving.
■Should I go to the hospital if I get a sinus squeeze?
If you experience sinus squeeze and severe pain in your forehead or around your eyes, we recommend that you see a doctor.
However, if you ask a doctor who is not familiar with diving medicine, they may diagnose the cause without knowing the cause.
If you go to a medical institution, make sure to see a doctor who has knowledge of diving.
Treatments include applying warm compresses to the face and the pain medication acetaminophen.
If the pain is severe, you should avoid diving until the pain subsides.
If you dive while suffering from a sinus squeeze, you may experience further pain, dizziness, and even risk losing your life.
Today we're introducing the sinus squeeze.
Sinus squeeze can occur in anyone who has cold, allergy, or sinus symptoms.
Before diving, be sure to check your physical condition thoroughly.
If you do get it, consult a doctor and get the appropriate treatment.
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