Dizzy after swim - earplugs?
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Nutty posted 17 weeks ago.
Yup, earplugs. I had that problem too. Didnt bother me under half a mile, but as soon as i started into oly distance it drove me nuts. I use earplugs now and its wonderful.
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azmojo804 posted 17 weeks ago.
I haven't tried the earplugs, but I have had this happen when swimming > 1/2 mile but have been able to fix by staying hydrated. I think that the facing down turning the head back and forth gets my equilibrium off and when I stop and stay still standing in the water, my body is quite confused. Much better when hydrated.
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TriSooner posted 17 weeks ago.
It may be a 'water in the ears' thing (which impacts your equilibrium) as you identified. But you also wrote that it affects your bike and run afterwards. Is this during a race after an open-water swim? If so, not having a black line to stare at and swimming in murky water where your eyes have nothing to focus on can also impact your sense of horizontal orientation.
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waterskyer posted 17 weeks ago.
Thanks for all of the helpful comments. I get it when swimming both in the pool and in open water during a tri, so it could be the focus thing too. It can literally hear the water in my ears and sounds like a rattle. I always focus on staying really really hydrated, so I don't really believe it's because of that, but who knows. When I turn my head side to side, I can feel the water leak into my ears which drives me nuts, but I forget about it in longer swims. I then go to run out of the water and feel like I've had a few too many beers. Probably entertaining for the spectators... ;)
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tritoride28 posted 16 weeks ago.
I had great advice from a guy during my first oly this year. I was so dizzy I couldnt get my wetsuit off of me and I said something about it to the guy next to me. He said jump up and down a few times, and it totally refreshed me! I have done it ever since and it helps a lot! I dont have the water in the ear problem so far as I can tell, either that or I just dont notice.
Good luck!
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kylie posted 16 weeks ago.
Yeah the jumping thing always works for me, too -- not swimming related, but if I've been spinning in too many circles. I have heard it is because the balance come from fluid in the inner ear and the bouncing can help settle it. No idea if that is real...
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beads1985 posted 16 weeks ago.
Could be a few things
When you're in the water your sense of gravity is different than on land, and being horizontal reduces vascular pressure.
This would be normal as blood rushes quickly to your legs when you get back to vertical after a long time swimming.
When you get out of the water onto land and you stand up, gravity takes over and you get yourself oriented vertically.
Our inner ears are our organs of balance in addition to being organs of hearing.
Cool or hot fluids in the ear can cause dizziness, so the cold water from a swim could cause it. Ear plugs will help with this.
Nothing to it, but to do it
I get quite dizzy after my swim and am wondering if I should try earplugs. Has anyone else had this problem? It affects both my bike and run afterwards. Water stays in my ears and feels like it's 'rattling around' until after I finish. Any advice?