Alternobaric vertigo

In aviation and underwater diving, alternobaric vertigo is dizziness resulting from unequal pressures being exerted between the ears due to one Eustachian tube being less patent than the other.[1][2][3]

Causes

This might have occurred due to barotrauma of descent, and/or the effects of nasal decongestants. It is due to unequal increase in middle ear pressures on ascent, is usually mild, and most often cleared by further ascent. When the pressures in both ears reach ambient levels, the stimulus for the dizziness stops.[2] Although most often mild, the vertigo can persist until the diver reaches the surface continuing the unequal pressures, which can damage the inner ear or ear drum.

Alternobaric vertigo is most pronounced when the diver is in the vertical position; the spinning is towards the ear with the higher pressure and tends to develop when the pressures differ by 60 cm of water or more.[4][5] Ear clearing may be a remedy. A similar vertigo can also occur as a result of unequal heating stimulation of one inner ear labyrinth over the other due to diving in a prone position in cold water - the undermost ear being stimulated.

See also

Underwater diving portal

References

  1. ↑ Wicks RE (January 1989). "Alternobaric vertigo: an aeromedical review". Aviat Space Environ Med 60 (1): 67–72. PMID 2647073.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tjernström O (December 1974). "Function of the eustachian tubes in divers with a history of alternobaric vertigo". Undersea Biomed Res 1 (4): 343–51. PMID 4469100. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  3. ↑ Lundgren CEG, Tjernström O, Ornhagen H (September 1974). "Alternobaric vertigo and hearing disturbances in connection with diving: an epidemiologic study". Undersea Biomed Res 1 (3): 251–8. PMID 4469094. Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  4. ↑ Edmonds, C. (1971). "Vertigo In Diving". Royal Australian Navy, School of Underwater Medicine. RANSUM-1-71. Retrieved 2008-04-25.
  5. ↑ Ross HE (December 1976). "The direction of apparent movement during transient pressure vertigo". Undersea Biomed Res 3 (4): 403–10. PMID 10897867. Retrieved 2008-07-04.