Head Ache's after Diving

[Rocko Diver]

I have started to have head ache after diving, a buddy has suggested that it is something to do with CO2 and the way you breath. I take a couple or Ibuprofen and all is ok. Does anybody experience similar headaches and if it is my breathing, what should I do to prevent it.

Thanks

[Juz]

Headaches are a classic symptom of CO2 retention.

Are you regs providing an 'easy' breathe?
What's your fitness like, do you find that you're working hard on these dives?
Where do you get your fills from - is it always the same place?

Juz

[ChrisP]

It really depends on the type of headaches and what you have been doing in terms of type of diving etc. There is a link with headaches / PFO's / bends. There is lots of info on the net about this but each case is slightly different so I would always suggest you discuss this sort of thing with your local diving doctor.
Cheers

[Andy the Coastie]

I agree with the above.....

Please don't put it down to a ICE CREAM headache.....

[A. Berk]

Originally Posted by Juz

Headaches are a classic symptom of CO2 retention.

Are you regs providing an 'easy' breathe?
What's your fitness like, do you find that you're working hard on these dives?
Where do you get your fills from - is it always the same place?

Good questions to think about, CO2 will do it for sure (but as mentioned may not be the cause) - analyse your breathing, is it shallow and fairly fast?

The optimum technique for breathing through a mechanical device is like that of an opera singer - all the way in and all the way out - maximum use of lung volume.

[triplefin]

Or you could even just be dehydrated. You loose a phenomenal amount of fluid when you dive and the air you breath is dry.

[Gene_Hobbs]

DAN Divers Alert Network : Headaches and Diving - UPDATED 2005

older: DAN Divers Alert Network : Headaches and Diving

and additional: DAN Divers Alert Network : Frontal Headaches

Originally Posted by ChrisP

There is a link with headaches / PFO's / bends.

Please be careful with statements like these. The association was made with Migraines and PFO's.

[colinicky]

Where is the headache ? If its across the front at the top of the forehead it could be a simple case of the hood not being pulled forwards & down enough .I had headaches after 3 dives & somebody said to me on the fourth as I kitted up that even though I thought it was correct the hood could come down about an inch to meet the mask ,did that & no more headaches but if it persists get it checked .as has been said when was the last time you had your regs serviced ? I have just had mine serviced after 2 1/2 years & can't believe the difference

[ardhill]

You can get headaches form sinus congestion or if you have difficulty equalizing. You can also get headaches from poor off gassing (going to the extremes of No Stop limits or not doing proper stops) or poor buoyancy control (big up and down moves).
.

[Quero]

If the headache goes away with ibuprofin, it's not likely CO2 induced. CO2 headaches only go away when you've cleared sufficient CO2 from your system, in other words, with time.

Other minor causes can be a slight sinus squeeze or a too-tight mask. Like the mask issue, the tip about the position of the hood, above, makes some sense.