Causes
Barotrauma is caused when the air pressure inside and outside the body are different, causing discomfort. Causes include:
- Flying
-
Scuba diving
- Ascending (going up to the surface) without exhaling freely
- Swimming quickly to the surface when diving
- Holding your breath when ascending
- Underwater diving for an increased period of time
- Repeated dives within 24 hours
- Flying in an airplane after diving
- Having air pockets in equipment (eg, masks and dry suits)
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
The following factors increase your chance of developing barotrauma:
- Congested nose from allergies or colds
- Congenital (present before birth) blockage of the eustachian tubes
- Smoker
-
Age: children and older adults
- Eustachian tubes in children are smaller and more likely to become blocked.
- Damaged eustachian tube, caused by scarring or a tumor
- Obstructions in the ear
- Cleft palate or lip—may affect balance of pressure in the middle ears
- Holding your breath while diving
- Deeper dives
- Long amounts of time spent underwater diving
- Repeated dives within 24 hours
- Flying in an airplane after diving
- Rapid climb to the surface when diving
- Fatigue
- Dehydration
- Cold water
- Obesity
- Ill-fitting equipment used for scuba diving
- Congenital (present before birth) blockage or narrowing of the sinus drainage system
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