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What Causes Dizziness After Swimming?

Posted on Thu, 1 Dec 2016

Question: Can a swim cap cause my daughter to feel dizzy after swimming during swim team practice? Her face gets purple too. She loves this sport, but the last several times she's practiced, she's had to cut it short and leave due to feeling likes she's testing side to side (not vertigo). She had a physical in July. Are there any tests that doctor should do. Should she stop swimming?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Breathing technique needs to be improved

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

A swim cap will not cause such a problem. Rather, breath holding is likely to be the source of the problems. She needs proper respiratory training. Please discuss with her trainer. You can also discuss with a doctor of sports medicine and he will be able to demonstrate the correct techniques. I do not think that she needs to stop swimming.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (11 hours later)

She also has a +1 slight stigmatism in one eye. Would the moving her head side to side when freestyle swimming to side breath contribute to the dizzy/teetering off equilibrium sensation she gets?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not related.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. The astigmatism is unrelated and would not contribute to the dizzyness or would not be affected by or would not affect the swimming.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (32 hours later)

Could it be related to blood pressure changing? I mean her face is purple & she's unsteady feeling dizzy. It was fine last week at the doctor. she's not out of breath when she gets out of the water and has been exercising regularly. We reviewed her breathing technique and appears fine. Are there any other medical things we should test/check for?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Breath holding

Detailed Answer:
Yes, blood pressure changes are likely to be involved. The vestibulocochlear apparatus that responds to balance and pressure changes (pressurein depth of water) is more involved. Swimming will always involve some amount of breath holding. This is responsible for her getting the facial congestion.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar