Midlands Diving Chamber - Dive Medical Advice - Fitness and Diving http://www.midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk Dive Medicine - information for divers on different diving medicine subjects: marine animal hazards, the bends, Cardiovascular System and scuba diving, Central Nervous System and the scuba diver, Drugs and Diving, Easy Equalization for scuba divers, Eye Problems for scuba divers, women and scuba diving, Fitness and Diving, Gastrointestinal Problems and scuba diving, trauma and orthopaedic problems for scuba divers, Respiratory Problems and scuba diving. en-us webmaster@e-med.co.uk Midlands Diving Chamber - Dive Medical Advice http://www.midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/ldc_logo_new_small.jpg http://www.midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk 100 50 Fitness and Diving - Others As I emerge, chrysalid like from my winter hibernation, and the horrid British weather starts to improve, my thoughts once again turn to some diving in the local murky water holes. Sadly my physical condition after a somewhat lengthy layoff leaves a littl... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=11&sub_cat=17 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 01:45:23 +0100 Fitness and Diving - Exercise How "fit" do I have to be to dive? I'm a rather out of shape blubbery 56 year old ex smoker who has rather inconceivably won a beginner's course in diving. I blame my addictive personality and too much time to do crosswords on the daily commute. Anyway, t... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=11&sub_cat=118 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 01:40:20 +0100 Eye Problems - Retina I am a novice diver and I have just been diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion with macular oedema. In short, I can't see a thing out of my left eye. I have had two injections so far and have to have another one next month. The ophthalmic surgeon ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=9&sub_cat=37 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 01:32:56 +0100 Cancer - Prostate Having recently retired my plans have been somewhat derailed by a diagnosis of prostate cancer. I am about to start a course of injections called triptorelin, a month before embarking on my Divemaster qualification. I had intended to complete this in UK w... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=32&sub_cat=111 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 01:28:22 +0100 Endocrine - Parathyroid Greetings. I have raised calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, which I've been told is most likely due to Primary Hyperparathyroidism. My surgeon's recommendation is that I undergo parathyroidectomy, using the minimally invasive technique (not the... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=18&sub_cat=172 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 01:21:47 +0100 Respiratory Problems - Smoking At the ripe old age of 50, and after numerous attempts, I have finally managed to give up smoking. I say this every year of course, but in 2016 I seem to have stayed quit for longer than ever - 3 months and counting! This time the difference is my trusty ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=14&sub_cat=163 Sun, 08 May 2016 04:29:33 +0100 Diseases / Viruses - Autoimmune Hi, I have recently been diagnosed as HIV positive, following pneumonia a year ago. I am now fully recovered from that but need to know what the implications are for recreational scuba diving. Should I stop diving? If I can carry on, what precautions do I... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=30&sub_cat=146 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 07:44:39 +0100 Trauma, Surgery and Orthopaedic Probs - Other I was hoping you could give me some advice concerning an operation I am having soon. Due to a twisted testicle I am having an orchidectomy and have been offered a prosthetic testicle replacement. I have concerns whether a silicone or saline implant is sui... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=15&sub_cat=114 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 07:40:18 +0100 Trauma, Surgery and Orthopaedic Probs - Other Hi doc. This is probably going to be one of the strangest questions you've been asked. It's a bit embarrassing, so sorry about that, but I don't know who else to ask. I won't beat about the bush any longer, so here's my problem. Basically I'm getting an e... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=15&sub_cat=114 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 07:35:52 +0100 Ear Nose and Throat Problems - Inner Ear I am a keen diver and my wife is interested in trying. However, she has for several years suffered from intermittent BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) and is unsure if diving is likely to cause her problems. She is 45, otherwise in good health a... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=6&sub_cat=43 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 07:26:36 +0100 Bends - Flying / Altitude We are going to the Maldives soon and I would appreciate your advice on inter-island seaplane flights after diving.We are having six days on an island and had assumed that we could dive only on the first five days because of needing a dry day ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=2&sub_cat=110 Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:25:15 +0000 Dental Problems - Procedures I am off travelling and have done a lot of diving but my girlfriend has a fake tooth which is attached to the teeth either side with metal / glue. Although this is very well fixed she is worried about the pressure - any advice? https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=16&sub_cat=59 Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:17:56 +0000 Psychiatric - Eating Disorders I have a query regarding one of my students who wants to do the Divemaster course but is concerned about her doctor giving her a medical to dive. She has suffered from Bulimia for about two years. From what I understand, this came to light relatively rece... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=31&sub_cat=171 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:25:41 +0100 Bends - Bends Hi, I spoke to someone on the London Diving Chamber 24 hour advice line who recommended I send you a quick email regarding some tingling I'm having in my left arm. I was doing my PADI Open Water course in the swimming pool yesterday and was at a depth of ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=2&sub_cat=93 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:17:27 +0100 Ear Nose and Throat Problems - Nose I'm thinking of doing a PADI course in Malaysia next month. However, I have a deviated septum, which results in one nostril being almost completely blocked. I was always told, when younger, that I would have to have an operation to fix it when eighteen, b... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=6&sub_cat=47 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:13:21 +0100 Trauma, Surgery and Orthopaedic Probs - Rheumatism / Arthritis Last year I completed my PADI scuba diving course in the Maldives. Whilst I was learning to dive I did not suffer any problems, however when I returned home I was informed that I have Rheumatoid arthritis. I only have hand and wrist problems that leave me... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=15&sub_cat=155 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:06:38 +0100 Longer Articles - Outer Ear Infections Otitis externa in scuba divers: to treat prophylactically or not and if so what with? https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=12&sub_cat=170 Sun, 13 Mar 2011 09:24:25 +0000 Ear Nose and Throat Problems - Grommets If I had ear grommets as a child (I am now 27) am I okay to learn to dive without getting prior doctor's consent? https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=6&sub_cat=148 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:03:08 +0000 Trauma, Surgery and Orthopaedic Probs - Other I have been away sailing for the past five days and have developed a perianal haematoma and am concerned on whether this will affect either flying or diving. I am taking suppositories to reduce the swelling and it occasionally bleeds. I am not sure how lo... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=15&sub_cat=114 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:00:20 +0000 Animal Hazards - Other Mean Critters Hi, Every time I go diving I seem to get bites on my toes. First time it happened was after diving at Swanage Pier and there were bites all over the underside of my toes and on the balls of my feet that were so painful I could hardly walk. They are indivi... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=1&sub_cat=69 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:54:36 +0000 Trauma, Surgery and Orthopaedic Probs - Surgery Hi, I'm a 32 year old male in need of a spot of advice on my suitability to take up diving. About 15 years ago, I had disks removed from both my breasts. No serious complications other than a slight haematoma. Can you foresee any issues regarding taking u... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=15&sub_cat=34 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:49:04 +0000 Diseases / Viruses - Vaccinations Morning, I wonder if you could answer a question on vaccination for me please? The PADI manual mentions tetanus and typhoid are necessary vaccinations. However the travel clinic I visited recently thought that typhoid was low risk for the area I am planni... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=30&sub_cat=95 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 07:39:26 +0000 Cardiovascular System - Arteries / Veins My family has a history of Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), with my mother currently suffering from nose bleeds and stomach bleeds, as well as other symptoms such as blood spots on her fingers etc. I have nose bleeds but not to the same degre... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=60 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:30:10 +0000 Cardiovascular System - PFO I am about to complete my Dive Master course and will need an HSE medical to enable me to assist in training and supervision. I would like to ask about PFO. My 2 year old second cousin has just had surgery to repair this condition and I am told that this ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=92 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:27:57 +0000 Central Nervous System - Migraines I am about to complete my Dive Master course and will need an HSE medical to enable me to assist in training and supervision. I would like to ask about PFO. My 2 year old second cousin has just had surgery to repair this condition and I am told that this ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=72 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:27:42 +0000 Cardiovascular System - PFO I'm a fit and healthy 22 year old female. I was diagnosed two years ago with first degree heart block but no other abnormalities. Following a routine check up last week I mentioned that I was planning to dive with a conservation organisation in Fiji. The ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=92 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:25:41 +0000 Cardiovascular System - PFO Whilst on a dive last week I experienced visual disturbances akin to those which precede a migraine, ie. flashing lights and shimmering areas of vision. I used to suffer from migraines but haven't done so for many years. The visual symptoms went shortly a... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=92 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:25:03 +0000 Central Nervous System - Migraines Whilst on a dive last week I experienced visual disturbances akin to those which precede a migraine, ie. flashing lights and shimmering areas of vision. I used to suffer from migraines but haven't done so for many years. The visual symptoms went shortly a... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=72 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:22:40 +0000 Cardiovascular System - Stroke I'm a character who has suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage. The treatment was a 6 hour operation where they "cut my skull open" and made the repair. The vessel had popped in 3 places over 5 years but the final pop caused serious headaches which finally l... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=112 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:17:40 +0000 Ear Nose and Throat Problems - Sinuses I went on a 23 metre, 50 minute dive about two weeks ago. The profile was fine, I didn'tyo-yo, didn't come up too quickly and did my stop at 5 metres for well over 3 minutes. When I came up, I had a numb mouth (top quarter) including teeth, my sinus... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=6&sub_cat=45 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:15:24 +0000 Ear Nose and Throat Problems - Inner Ear Hi Doc. I am at this moment recovering from a rather nasty bout of the flu. As is usual with the NHS, I couldn't get to see my GP until 3 weeks after my death. I was forced to call an emergency doc. When he examined me I told him that I had very bad heada... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=6&sub_cat=43 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:13:39 +0000 Dental Problems - Pain The last few times I've been diving I start to get headaches during my first dive. After the dive the headaches persist and if I dive a second dive the headaches intensify, on the last occasion quite severely and for several hours afterwards. They are alw... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=16&sub_cat=97 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:11:56 +0000 Ear Nose and Throat Problems - Equalising I've been training with a closed circuit rebreather for a few months now, having "graduated" from SCUBA to mixed gas diving. I've never been great at ear clearing, however I'm getting noticeably more frequent ear problems since I made the move. They feel ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=6&sub_cat=44 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:05:33 +0000 Bends - Others People always say that you should ask a question even if it seems stupid, because a lot of people probably want to know the answer but are too embarrassed to admit it. So here goes my stupid question: how does oxygen work as a treatment in DCS? We're all ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=2&sub_cat=90 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:03:37 +0000 Central Nervous System - Oxygen Toxicity I've just done my Nitrox course and learned lots about gases and partial pressures, but would like to know how they worked out what is a safe partial pressure of oxygen to dive with? https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=169 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:00:40 +0000 Endocrine - Diabetes / Pancreas This is not a diving-related question, but I am a diver, so forgive me for picking your brains but I hope you can help. I'm diabetic and due to start treatment in a hyperbaric chamber for an ulcer on my heel that just won't heal. The doctors treating me h... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=18&sub_cat=39 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:58:08 +0000 Central Nervous System - Oxygen Toxicity This is not a diving-related question, but I am a diver, so forgive me for picking your brains but I hope you can help. I'm diabetic and due to start treatment in a hyperbaric chamber for an ulcer on my heel that just won't heal. The doctors treating me h... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=169 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:57:46 +0000 Cardiovascular System - PFO I've had a few episodes of odd visual disturbances after diving that I'd like to discuss with you. They are very intermittent, occurring only once or twice a year (and I'm diving most weekends), but usually involve my vision getting darker, almost like th... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=92 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:52:37 +0000 Central Nervous System - Migraines I've had a few episodes of odd visual disturbances after diving that I'd like to discuss with you. They are very intermittent, occurring only once or twice a year (and I'm diving most weekends), but usually involve my vision getting darker, almost like th... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=72 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:51:51 +0000 Central Nervous System - Oxygen Toxicity What are the effects of oxygen on the eye? I am asking because my boyfriend is diving on high partial pressures of oxygen (1.4 - 1.6 ATA) on a regular basis and he is complaining of some difficulties with focussing. He says his vision blurs for a few hour... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=4&sub_cat=169 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:47:47 +0000 Eye Problems - Other What are the effects of oxygen on the eye? I am asking because my boyfriend is diving on high partial pressures of oxygen (1.4 - 1.6 ATA) on a regular basis and he is complaining of some difficulties with focussing. He says his vision blurs for a few hour... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=9&sub_cat=130 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:44:12 +0000 Eye Problems - Glaucoma As an older diver I find my bones and joints are cracking and creaking with ever increasing frequency. One of the penalties of advancing years I suppose. However the reason for my email is that I have been diagnosed with glaucoma. As I understand it, for ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=9&sub_cat=38 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:41:24 +0000 Eye Problems - Lenses Diving is one of my major passions in life, the other being rifle shooting. In competition I am finding it more and more difficult to focus on faraway targets, and my optician has advised me that I need a prescription to correct my distance vision. The op... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=9&sub_cat=36 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:39:19 +0000 Eye Problems - Other I'm a recreational diver of 10 years' standing and feel the desire to impart some of my hard-earned diving knowledge to others. I've therefore been contemplating becoming a divemaster (and hopefully eventually an instructor) with PADI, but understand that... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=9&sub_cat=130 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:25:41 +0000 Animal Hazards - Freshwater I've been stationed out in Vietnam with work for a year, and whilst here I've been enjoying all the natural pursuits the country has to offer - amongst them, diving in inland lakes as well as off the coast, caving, longboating up the river etc. Recently I... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=1&sub_cat=68 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:55:22 +0000 Animal Hazards - Coral I have just got back from Sharm and was stung by a fire coral a week ago, on my second dive of a series of ten. Initially it blistered into large fluid-filled bubbles all over my leg. The doctors at the hotel put white vinegar and iodine on it. Since then... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=1&sub_cat=67 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:53:24 +0000 Animal Hazards - Jellyfish Yesterday my wife got stung by a jellyfish whilst diving in the waters off Saudi Arabia. We washed the affected area with vinegar and soaked it in hot water. However she still has a lot of pain and no painkiller is working. She took an antihistamine shot.... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=1&sub_cat=66 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:52:14 +0000 Diseases / Viruses - Other I've been travelling around the globe on a very delayed gap year (I'm now 36!) At least this means I'm not on the traditional shoestring student budget, so I can afford to do things like diving. I'm Advanced Open Water qualified and have racked up over 10... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=30&sub_cat=168 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:48:11 +0000 Animal Hazards - Bilharzia The shores of Lake Malawi have been my home for the last few months. I've been seeking inspiration for my latest work and I thought I'd found the perfect location to galvanise my literary brain into sensuous and romantic outpourings. Sadly after an ill-ad... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=1&sub_cat=167 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:35:34 +0000 Bends - Skin Bends My question concerns the skin symptoms of decompression sickness. On a liveaboard in Papua New Guinea recently one of the group got severe itching after a deepish dive (42m for about 35 minutes). There were no problems on the dive at all. The itching was ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=2&sub_cat=85 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:29:49 +0000