Barotrauma

When you go swimming or diving underwater, the pressure around you changes. Sometimes, if the pressure changes too quickly, it can cause a lot of discomfort and even damage to your body. This is what we call barotrauma.

Think of your ears like a balloon filled with air. When you go diving, the pressure around you gets higher and your ears have to adjust to this new pressure. Just like when you squeeze a balloon, the air inside gets smaller. That's why your ears pop. This is completely normal and happens to everyone.

However, if the pressure changes too quickly or you're in very deep water, your ears might not be able to adjust fast enough. This can cause a lot of pain and even damage to your ears. Sometimes, you might even feel dizzy or have trouble hearing.

Barotrauma can also happen to other parts of your body like your lungs, sinuses, and even your teeth. That's why it's important to take things slowly when you're swimming or diving. Don't go too deep too quickly and always make sure your body has time to adjust to the pressure changes.