Swimming is one of the most refreshing and enjoyable forms of exercise. It improves heart health, strengthens muscles, helps you relax, and gives you a feeling of weightlessness that can be both fun and relaxing. But for some people, that feeling does not always go away after you leave the pool. Feeling dizzy after swimming is surprisingly common, and it can be uncomfortable or even scary if you do not know what is happening. Fortunately, there are simple explanations and gentle solutions that can help you manage or prevent this experience. In this article, we will explore why dizziness after swimming happens, how long it usually lasts, and, most importantly, what you can do to stop it.
Understanding Dizziness After Swimming
Let’s start by understanding what happens to your body when you feel dizzy after swimming. Dizziness can feel like lightheadedness, spinning, swaying, or even like you are still floating when you are standing on solid ground. This feeling can occur immediately after getting out of the water, or it can start hours or even days later.
Dizziness After Swimming
Some people describe a spinning sensation, while others feel unsteady on their feet. This can be mild and go away quickly, or in rare cases, it can last for a few days.
Common Causes of Dizziness After Swimming
There are a number of reasons why you might feel dizzy after swimming. Understanding the possible causes is the first step to understanding how to fix it.
1. Inner Ear Disorder
One of the most common causes is that water has entered your ear and is affecting your inner ear, which plays a big role in maintaining your balance. The inner ear is full of tiny canals and sensors that detect your body’s position and movement.
If water, especially cold water, gets trapped inside, it can confuse the signals sent to your brain, leading to a temporary loss of balance or a feeling of dizziness.
2. Sudden Temperature Changes
Plunging into chilly water right after basking in heat or sunlight can jolt your system and cause an abrupt reaction.
Causes of Dizziness After Swimming
This sudden change in temperature can affect blood flow and circulation, sometimes causing dizziness. The same thing can happen when you get out of a hot pool and into cooler air.
3. Overexertion
Swimming uses almost every muscle in your body. If you push yourself too hard, especially without enough water or food, your blood sugar or blood pressure can drop, both of which can lead to dizziness or fainting.
4. Holding Your Breath Too Long
Many swimmers tend to go without breathing for extended moments, particularly during underwater laps or while racing. This can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the brain, leading to dizziness afterward.
5. Water in the Ear Canal
Even if water does not reach your inner ear, water trapped in your outer ear canal can cause a feeling of pressure or imbalance. This is more common after swimming in lakes or oceans, where the water can carry small particles that can stick to the ear canal.
Can Swimming Cause Vertigo?
Yes, swimming can cause dizziness under certain circumstances, especially if cold water enters the ear canal and disrupts the inner ear. This type of dizziness usually does not last long, but it can be confusing while it is happening.
Feeling Dizzy After Swimming
People who are already sensitive to motion sickness or have inner ear conditions are more likely to experience it.
If dizziness after swimming is a recurring problem for you, it is worth speaking to your doctor, as there may be an underlying condition such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or swimmer’s ear.
How Long Does Dizziness After Swimming Last?
In most cases, dizziness after swimming lasts only a few minutes to an hour. For others, it can last a few hours. Rarely, people may experience symptoms for a day or two.
If you are wondering how long dizziness lasts after swimming, the answer varies depending on the cause. If it is due to water in the ear, it usually improves after draining.
If it is related to physical activity or dehydration, resting and drinking fluids can help it go away faster. But if you feel dizzy for more than two or three days after swimming, it is a sign that you should see a doctor. This could be a sign of an inner ear infection or another medical problem.
Why Do I Still Feel Like I’m Floating After Swimming?
Have you ever gotten out of the pool and still felt like your body was bobbing up and down? This is a common sensation and is known as “after-drop” or “residual floating.”
Floating After Swimming
Your body gets used to the sensation of being in the water, and it takes a while to adjust to gravity and solid ground. This could explain why you might still feel like you are floating after a swim.
Your muscles, joints, and brain need to resynchronize, and this can take a few minutes. This sensation is usually nothing to worry about and often goes away over time. Walking slowly, doing light stretches, or sitting down can help your body get back into balance.
How to Stop Dizziness After Swimming
Now, let’s get to the point: what can you do to stop dizziness after swimming? Fortunately, most solutions are easy and do not require medication.
1. Dry Your Ears Gently
Use a soft towel or a few drops of rubbing alcohol or over-the-counter ear drying drops to remove any water trapped in your ears.
Never push anything like a cotton swab too deep into your ear canal, as this can cause damage or push more water in. You can also tilt your head to one side and slowly hop on one foot to help drain the water.
Some people find that using a hair dryer on the lowest setting and a few inches away helps evaporate the trapped water.
2. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water before and after swimming. Dehydration can cause dizziness, especially after physical activity like swimming.
Stay Hydrated After Swimming
Eating a light snack before swimming can also help keep your blood sugar stable.
3. Move Slowly After Swimming
When you are done swimming, do not rush out of the water. Sudden movements, especially standing up too quickly, can cause your blood pressure to drop. Move slowly, take deep breaths, and give your body time to adjust.
4. Avoid Swimming When You Are Sick
If you have a cold, allergies, or sinus congestion, your ears may already be sensitive or blocked. Swimming while you are sick can make you more likely to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Wait until you feel better before getting back in the pool.
5. Use Earplugs
If you regularly get water in your ears, wear waterproof earplugs while swimming. This can help keep your ears dry and reduce your risk of balance problems.
6. Practice Breathing Techniques
Try to maintain steady breathing while swimming instead of holding your breath for too long. Instead, focus on steady, rhythmic breathing. This will keep your oxygen levels balanced and prevent dizziness.
Breathing While Swimming
7. Take Breaks
If you are swimming for a long time, be sure to take breaks every 20 to 30 minutes. Sit on the edge of the pool or walk around the pool to give your body a break.
Vertigo Days After Swimming
Most symptoms of dizziness go away quickly, but in rare cases, people experience dizziness for a few days after swimming. If this happens to you, it could be due to an inner ear problem that was caused or worsened by exposure to water.
Conditions such as swimmer’s ear (an infection of the ear canal) or vestibular neuritis (inflammation of the balance nerve) can cause long-term dizziness or a spinning sensation.
If you feel off-balance or dizzy for more than two or three days after being in the water, it is very important to see a doctor.
They can examine your ears, perform simple balance tests, and recommend treatment if necessary. Sometimes a short course of medication or inner ear physical therapy is enough to resolve the problem.
Final Word
Dizziness after swimming is more common than many people realize. It can be caused by water in the ears, changes in body temperature, overexertion, or simply your body adjusting back to dry land. The good news is that most cases are harmless and go away on their own. However, knowing what to do and what not to do can help you avoid that shaky, unsteady feeling altogether. Swimming should be a relaxing and healthy experience. With a little care and attention, you can make sure it stays that way.
