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 http://www.midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/ldc_logo_new_small.jpg http://www.midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk 100 50 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 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 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 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 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 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 Recently, I experienced six days of ectopic heart beats. For the first few days they were extremely frequent, up to 10 a minute, gradually decreasing on the sixth day to an infrequent two or three an hour. I have never experienced anything like this befor... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=61 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:05:35 +0000 As well as diving, I also fly light aircraft - why do I chose expensive hobbies?! My pilot's licence requires that I have an annual medical with an ECG. At the last medical it was discovered that I had Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB). The Civil Aviation ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=61 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:47:58 +0000 I am very keen on doing a Divemaster internship but have only dived once in my lifetime! During some travelling a few years ago, I was prevented from diving at the Great Barrier Reef. The reason was that I was born with a hole in my heart (atrial septal d... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=62 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:32:24 +0000 I am very keen on doing a Divemaster internship but have only dived once in my lifetime! During some travelling a few years ago, I was prevented from diving at the Great Barrier Reef. The reason was that I was born with a hole in my heart (atrial septal d... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=92 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:31:51 +0000 I am a diver who gave up smoking for 3 months and took to eating jelly beans instead and had to have a blood test which showed my blood sugars 'off the scale'. I stopped the sweets and went back to smoking (38 year habit) and a blood test a week later sho... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=112 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:47:46 +0100 I am a 26 year old female with anorexia nervosa. Been diving since I was 14. Just got an ECG test back that said my heart rate was slower than normal (in the 50's). Does this put me at increased risk for diving? I am going away for the next two weeks and ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=61 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:49:29 +0100 I am a regular blood donor and was wondering whether you could see any reasons I can't dive? I really want to try diving and I asked the staff at my last donation session whether it was OK but they didn't really know. Is there a recommended time I should ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=2 Mon, 19 May 2008 11:53:12 +0100 My father is an ex-military diver, he is now 68 years old, but has kept up recreational diving for many years since he left the Navy. He has always been pretty fit but 6 months ago he had a stroke. He suddenly lost the use of his leg and his speech went. ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=112 Mon, 19 May 2008 11:50:40 +0100 Hi, I have recently been for a routine medical for my job. My doctor suspected that there may have been a problem so sent me for an ECG, the results for this came back and now he wants me to go for an 'echo' to see if I have an enlarged heart. Have you ev... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=62 Mon, 19 May 2008 11:09:19 +0100 I've recently been diagnosed with something called Factor V Leiden after my sister had a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). The doctors told me it makes me more susceptible to DVT myself, but does it increase my risk of getting a bend? https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=140 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:11:51 +0100 Hi there, I am a very active diver and I've recently been told I need to have a pacemaker fitted. My cardiac surgeon has said that there is physically no reason why I shouldn't be able to continue to dive as my heart would be able to cope under heavy load... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=94 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:02:37 +0100 i have burgess disease. out of the 3 artery running down my calfs i have half remaining in one leg and almost two in the other i get intermittent claudication in feet and hands. does this mean i cant learn to dive https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=60 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:27:29 +0100 Please can you advise me on my medication as I am going diving on 15th November in Oban. I started on ramipril 2.5 increasing to 10mg. I have been on the 10mg for just over a week. I take it at bedtime. Last week after taking the first of the 10mg I woke ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=64 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:22:27 +0100 Kitty at Dive Solutions has given me your name. I have been discussing with Kitty the possibility of buying my father some diving lessons for his 70th birthday. He is generally fit and healthy. There are a couple of questions on the health form which ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=64 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:07:23 +0100 My employer is calling me from Hawaii, she wants to scuba dive for the first time but she is being treated for high blood pressure. She is in otherwise good health, only an abnormal eye exam recently related to the blood pressure. There were other referen... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=64 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:05:31 +0100 I had an ECG in December 06 which has indicated possible enlargement of the left ventricle. My GP has also detected a heart murmur. I am due to have an ultrasound of the heart in Feb which will give more info about what is wrong. If I do have an enl... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=61 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:54:15 +0100 I am a 51 year male and my LDL cholesterol is a little high. My Doctor has just put me on a daily dose 20 mg of statins to try to get the level down. My blood pressure is normal and I am otherwise healthy. Is there anything he or I should be aware... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=64 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:40:18 +0100 Basically, in summer 2003 my partner suffered a DVT and recovered. He became an instructor in late 2003. He last dived in February this year. We moved to Spain from the UK in April (very long drive) and in July following a few long evening shifts on... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=140 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 17:25:28 +0100 My brother in law, aged 28,ex-smoker, has a VSD which he has had since birth and this does not seem to affect him physically in any way, he has an excellent exercise tolerance playing for a semi pro football team. No other PMHx, Dx or FHx. ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=62 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:09:47 +0100 Three years ago, I was fitted with a cardiac pacemaker due to a slow heart rate causing dizzy spells and two blackouts. The pacemaker immediately stopped these symptoms. My cardiologist considered that I was safe to dive to 100 feet, and gave me a copy of... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=94 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:31:02 +0100 Doc,I have a maximum of 2 x migraine with aura and transient sensory loss of right hand and wrist per year. I've never needed prophylaxis medication. I do approx 80 dives per year as a BSAC instructor and am trimix qualified. In the past year ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=92 Fri, 09 Mar 2007 11:29:16 +0000 I would like to do my Dive Master course. I understand that I would need to have a HSE medical. Would my previous heart attack in 2000 prevent me doing this course. I have no chest pain, was taken off cardiology consultant list after the first year follow... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=63 Fri, 20 Oct 2006 10:12:08 +0100 I am currently completing a UK Sport Diver Medical Form and I answer NO to two questions. For Questions 1: I have a heart murmur - that has been checked by an ECG and is normal. Will that be an issue?I had recurrent migraines at 14, they stopped aft... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=62 Fri, 20 Oct 2006 09:46:47 +0100 I wonder if you could give me some advice. I have a colleague wanting to take up open water but has angina. He is on beta blockers (METAPROLOL)and carries a GTN spray. He also has a stent.Is he still able to dive.Thanks for your help as usual. https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=63 Fri, 20 Oct 2006 09:38:16 +0100 I have just been released from 5 hours recompression following a dive on Sunday. The dive was absolutely brilliant and followed a normal profile without any issues and in fact took 5 mins to ascend to 5M and stopped for 6mins for extra precaution. 20mins ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=92 Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:31:39 +0100 Doctor, I would like some diving advice. My wife (and my diving buddy) has recently received the results of a blood test, and this has shown that she is quite badly anaemic. Apparently (according to second hand reports), a normal blood iron reading is bet... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=2 Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:27:50 +0100 Wondering if there are any problems with diving if I have varicose veins - any risk to worsening the condition, or whether it could impact my ability to dive. https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=60 Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:24:22 +0100 On March 9th this year I was admitted to hospital with a severe virus infection and I was kept in for four weeks. The virus was never identified but it caused me to become seriously ill and affected most of my organs.Blood potassium and sodium... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=61 Wed, 18 May 2005 03:29:19 +0100 I am a recreational diver and would like advice on the resumption of diving following a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). 4 months ago I had an accident on my racing bike (bicycle) which was caused by the chain snapping. As a result, I went over the handle ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=112 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 I have heard about the sad death of a young girl from a clot in her legs and lungs after the long haul flight from Australia, and as I am flying to and from there next month to dive the Barrier Reef, I would like to know what I can do to prevent this and ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=140 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 A few weeks ago I had an unsuccessful op to repair a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) following 'undeserved' decompression sickness. I had a further bubble study done, and while they are confident I don't have a PFO, there was still bubble migration between the... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=92 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 In October last year I experienced unusual chest pains and was checked out in Hospital. I underwent a range of tests including an exercise ECG on the treadmill. My problems were diagnosed as Stress / Anxiety as all the tests came back clear, no medication... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=64 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 I am approaching you as I had a "Hole in the heart" which was patched at about 8 Months old. ( I think it's known as a VSD?) And I wish to know what steps I need to take (if any!) before embarking on deeper diving. I was under Great Ormond Street hospital... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=62 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 I have been given this email address by a PADI member to ask if you can help me to obtain medical clearance to enable me to take up scuba diving in spite of the fact my doctor will not give me clearance based on contacting one of the PADI consultants. ... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=140 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 I was wondering if you could give me some advice regarding diving and anaemia. I am a fit 22 year old female. I recently underwent a HSE medical and the results of my blood test showed my haemoglobin level as 11.3g/dl, which is apparently slightly l... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=2 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 I have just learned to dive with a local club in London, but I am having difficulty in finding out some information. I have always been a blood donor and still want to carry on giving blood, but I'm not sure and no one can tell me, how long I have to wait... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=2 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 In Feb 2000 I was hospitalised with Henoch-Schoenlien purpura. It is a rare sometimes recurring condition which causes blood vessels in the skin and kidneys to become inflamed. I have to take 2mg of Perindopril daily for life, to keep my blood pressure un... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=2 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 Please can you give me some advice on where to obtain some expert diagnosis on some possible decompression problems that have occurred to me after diving recently and another incident that happened 3 years ago but was dismissed as diving related at the ti... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=92 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 I have not been allowed onto any PADI compatible course abroad due to my medical condition. I am hoping that I can get this medical hurdle and then the training cleared in the UK so that this will not be a problem when I visit Sharm in October. My c... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=62 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 I had a heart attack on the 23rd August, apparently mild as it was quickly attended to. It has been reported as a clot in the right artery or in medical terms - acute inferior myocardial infarction. I was discharged from hospital after a 9 minute treadmil... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=63 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 I have just had a something called Aortic Valve Incompetence diagnosed after a long fever. My doctor doesn't know if I should continue to dive. I have been diving for many years now without any problems. What should I do? https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=62 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 I hope you can advise me on the following ? During a full and very comprehensive annual medical from my usual G.P. of many years, he finds, at present I have mild hypertension. Under normal everyday conditions he stated "He would monitor my Bl... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=64 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 During the last 2-3 years I have suffered an increased frequency of irregular heart beat. The frequency was such that I consulted my doctor soon after Christmas about the condition. I have been referred to a consultant who has diagnosed atrial fibrillatio... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=61 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100 My dear wife (49 years of age) uses atenolol for high blood pressure which she hopes to come off from, and as we are going to Egypt soon on a liveaboard. Can you suggest any other alternatives? We have also been informed that a supplement of B... https://midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk/index.php?id=advice&page=6&cat=3&sub_cat=64 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100