Scuba Diving Is Not Associated With High Prevalence of Headache: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Men

Abstract

Scuba diving, an intense physical activity characterized by cerebral micro-vascular distress, is not associated with cephalalgia, as a whole, or migraine, tension headache or migraine with aura, more commonly than in a matched, non-diving, population. A longitudinal study may disclose if diving may act as a protective factor in the occurrence of crises of cephalalgia.

Head Pain in the Competitive Aquatic Athlete—An Approach to a Differential Diagnosis and Management

“…A study of NCAA athletes found that 23% of athletes reported a history of migraine (5), a higher prevalence than what has been reported in the general population, although likely more similar when prevalence is adjusted for age, as migraines are typically seen in younger adults. Given that cross-sectional studies have not detected a difference in migraine prevalence between scuba divers and the general population (6), we suggest that there is likely no difference in migraine prevalence between the general population and the underwater aquatic athlete. Additional research is needed, as there is a lack of migraine prevalence data in the other aquatic athlete categories.…”

“…TTHs are common within the general athletic population with an incidence of 12.3% within National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes (5). Rates of TTH do not seem to be higher in the aquatic athlete (6). Only a small subset of patients reach out for medical treatment for tension headaches, as over-the-counter (OTC) medications are normally sufficient to treat a TTH.…”

“…If recurring, prophylactic medications, such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, anticonvulsants, and SSRI/SNRI medications, can be considered. It is worth noting that the World Anti-Doping Agency bans beta blockers from underwater sports in the subdisciplines of free diving, spearfishing, and target shooting and has resulted in disqualification of prominent competitive divers (6,10).…”