Many people enjoy swimming because of the competition, cardio benefits and pure enjoyment of being in the water. Unfortunately, many swimmers experience sudden vertigo and feelings of nausea in mid-crawl. It's not uncommon, but it can be dangerous. It doesn't mean you have you to dry off, however.
Symptoms and Causes
You'll know vertigo is to blame when your swim is interrupted by sudden dizziness, often accompanied by nausea and a feeling that you're still floating once you're out of the water. MayoClinic.com cites benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, BPPV, as the most common cause of vertigo. That's an imbalance of the inner-ear mechanism. Other causes range from a simple ear infection to more serious conditions such as Meniere's Disease or even stroke.
Hazard of the Sport
Vertigo may just be a hazard of swimming. The sport requires rhythmic head turning for breathing. BPPV is reported after a change in the position of the head. In fact, some people already diagnosed with vertigo report an increase in symptoms when they swim free style. In addition, cold water entering the ear can bring on dizziness. Most swimmers encounter that rush of water in the ear soon after jumping in.
Treatment
If you do find yourself grasping for balance in the water instead of gasping for air, see your doctor as soon as possible. Treatment for BPPV is a simple move called the Epley Maneuver. A physical therapist will help you reposition the imbalance of your inner-ear mechanism within a few minutes. Inner ear infections may require antibiotics or may go away on their own. More serious conditions could require medication.
Stop Vertigo Before It Starts
A good pair of ear plugs will help keep water out of your ears and guard against obvious triggers, such as bacteria in the water that can cause ear infections. If you are already diagnosed with vertigo, your doctor may advise against swimming temporarily, or may allow swimming if you avoid the crawl. Talk to your doctor if you experience vertigo during or after swim time.
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