Why does scuba diving gives me nauseas and headache?

When you dive, the pressure in your inner ear increases the deeper you go. Parts of the inner ear also control your balance and equilibrium which, if offset can cause dizziness and motion sickness-like symptoms, including nausea and headaches. It is possible that either A) You were not equalizing properly or effectively (when you go down and plug your nose and reverse pressure by blowing) or B) You were doing this but because of some as of yet undiagnosed problem in your inner ear it was not working.

Next step is for you to see your physician or an Ear Nose Throat doctor, explain the symptoms and get checked out. You should stop diving until you see a doctor about it.

As an Audiologist, I have given boettiger’s response a Great Answer rating. If you want more detailed explanation, feel free to contact me.

I’ve been diving for 2 yrs. This symptoms come and go. Some days I have no problems while others, like today I do. I think ok equalizing correctly. What kind of exams should the doc make?

Do you notice a difference in your ability to equalize your middle ear pressure on the days you get symptoms vs. those you don’t?

Do you have nasal/sinus problems, such as allergies? If so, do they seem worse around the time that your symptoms while diving occur?

Are you very consistent with your techniques when diving and surfacing to reduce your chances of getting the bends?

I’m PADI-Advanced certified and have been diving for about 17 years. If this were me and I was experiencing your symptoms, even if they were sporadic, I would stop all diving until I was diagnosed and treated for the problem.

If you are 60 feet down and you vomit into your regulator, you will drown.

It doesn’t sound like you are treating this as seriously as you should be. You could die if you vomit underwater from this. You need to stop diving and go to a doctor. Or at least make sure you have adequate life insurance coverage so your family is taken care of if you choose to continue without being seen.