Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 5/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: I spent a week scuba diving a couple of weeks back. The trip also involved several plane flights. It's not uncommon for me to have slight vertigo for a day or so after a flight, but I've had it for a week now. Not severe - I just have the feeling I am on a gently rocking boat. I also developed a cold with sinus congestion at the end of the trip and am taking Flonase & an antibiotic. It's bothering me that even though I can now breathe through my nose, I can't shake this vertigo. I have an appointment with an ENT next week (unless symptoms resolve themselves). Is this normal? Anything I can do to relieve it?

ANSWER: Hi Robin,
First, to answer your last question...NO, this is not normal. It sounds as if you have several things going on here that may be causing the vertigo.  The first is barotrauma, i.e., trauma to the ear due to changes in air pressure.  You went scuba and then you were in a plane. It's quite possible that your ears did not properly react to the drastic changes in air pressure, especially since you were probably developing your sinus congestion at that time, and you may have some fluid, air bubbles or even some blood in the middle ear. The next symptom that you describe, as being on a gently rocking boat, is called "mal d'embarquement."  It is a form of motion sickness where your balance system has not adjusted from being in motion to being back on solid ground. Add to all this the fact that you have a sinus infection which may have spread a virus to your inner ear, and you actually have a triple whammy. Here is a good site that will give you more info as well as some suggestions to help you feel a little better: http://www.midwestear.com/educatf.htm.  Usually, the vertigo will resolve in time even without treatment.  
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much! However, the link isn't working. Can you recheck it or suggest an alternate?

Answer
Hi Robin,
Hmmm...sorry about the link.  Maybe try this one: http://www.midwestear.com/links.htm
It's the home page for the site and you can just scroll down to the section under About Ears...there you will see "What you can do for Dizziness and Motion Sickness."  You may have to cut and paste the link.
Hope this works.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology