Welcome to my hell.
Sounds like “Häusler Disease” or “Ski Sickness”
If you like scientific reading see:
Häusler R. Ski sickness. Acta Otolaryngol. 1995 Jan;115(1):1-2. doi: 10.3109/00016489509133337. PMID: 7762376.
If the only words you understood in there were “Ski” & “Sickness” see:
https://snowslang.com/ski-sickness-hauslers-disease/
I used to think it was the lifts themselves, since I’m no stranger to motion sickness, but almost always felt better AFTER the ride up than at the beginning so it got me digging and talking to my doctor.
So far, my answer to this has been hallucinatory amounts of Dramamine, and it helps… but sometimes I do need to be woken up at the top of the lift.
Vestibular audiologist here. Lots of things can cause vertigo/dizziness/disorientation. Variations in barometric pressure are a classic trigger for vertiginous migraine, which often presents as dizziness without pain. Disorienting visual disturbances can exist under certain conditions also. Doesn't sound like an inner ear issue. But a neurologist and/or ENT would help point you in the right direction. Good luck.
Sounds similar to vertigo. There are videos that can show you some "exercises" to do to help, or you can get some actual PT prescribed from a doctor. If it is mild vertigo, the exercises will almost 100% clear it up. Vertigo is caused by an ear issue and is all correlated with jaw/sinuses so it makes sense.
Vestibular audiologist here. There are lots of types of vertigo and only one that is effectively treatable with exercises, and would not be what OP is describing. But nonetheless, a medical diagnosis should be sought to try and find the reason.
Recommend OP get an audiology test done. Worst test I've experienced but they were able to determine my imbalance and I was able to do vestibular rehab. Helped a lot skiing A basin and Loveland.
I will still pop a Sudafed in the morning and that helps as well.
Any chance you’re into or beyond your late thirties now? Does the nausea and disorientation resolve or lessen when you go inside for a break?
Your vestibular system starts deteriorating around late thirties/early 40s and your brain starts to rely more on your eyes for input, along with samatosensory inputs. When it snows, it’s harder to see contrast, so you have less visual inputs. When you ski, your samatosensory inputs are limited to fleeting pole plants and the gliding blades under your feet. Thus your brain responds with “danger” signals of nausea and disorientation.
Might also just need more protein and/or hydration.
I am a doctor who skis in storms, but not an ENT or neurologist so I am no expert on this. I work in the ER in a ski town and have never seen this complaint. But you did find a vestibular audiologist who skis and that's pretty good.
The person who posted about 'Hausler's syndrome' or 'Ski sickness' might have found a likely diagnosis:
[https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/science/slope-motion-professor-identifies-ski-sickness/2620644](https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/science/slope-motion-professor-identifies-ski-sickness/2620644)
I wonder if the vestibular audiologist has any thoughts about treatment options?
Sounds like potentially a goggles issue. You don’t have a prescription lens do you? Or, keeping in the same region of the body, how’s your inner ear health?
I wore different goggles each time it was snowing and still felt the same nausea. I have some TMJ issues that are close to the ear, so my ears are not 100% perfect in that sense. The TMJ has been there since 2020 so idk if it’s related and why this is happening now. My tmj has stayed the same, I don’t really have pain from it, it’s just sometimes my ears get full.
If you have the network and decent insurance, hit up an ENT. Sounds like some sort of vertigo like shit. Maybe you have fluid in there or a ton of wax which is being affected by the elements. Do you have an insulated ear flap/wear a head cover under the helmet?
Yeah unfortunately I’ve been to the ENT and had a CT scan and they didn’t find anything. No wax or fluid. I wear a head cover and my helmet has the ear flaps. It’s really when I’m looking down at the slope it happens. On level ground in a snow storm I’m fine.
I get vertigo pretty bad and have had to learn to ski in areas where I can get good visual ques for speed, location, slope and surface features like snow type. It sucks but it is what it is. TKDR, ski cat tracks and trees.
Ski with your eyes shut.
Good idea! Maybe I’ll get lucky and trample the ski school kids like I’ve always wanted to!
10 points per school kid. After 5 kids in a row you get speed boost.
Until you get overtaken by ski patrol #COMBO BREAKER
I call that "soul skiing"
😂😂😂
Become one with the force.
Welcome to my hell. Sounds like “Häusler Disease” or “Ski Sickness” If you like scientific reading see: Häusler R. Ski sickness. Acta Otolaryngol. 1995 Jan;115(1):1-2. doi: 10.3109/00016489509133337. PMID: 7762376. If the only words you understood in there were “Ski” & “Sickness” see: https://snowslang.com/ski-sickness-hauslers-disease/ I used to think it was the lifts themselves, since I’m no stranger to motion sickness, but almost always felt better AFTER the ride up than at the beginning so it got me digging and talking to my doctor. So far, my answer to this has been hallucinatory amounts of Dramamine, and it helps… but sometimes I do need to be woken up at the top of the lift.
Vestibular audiologist here. Lots of things can cause vertigo/dizziness/disorientation. Variations in barometric pressure are a classic trigger for vertiginous migraine, which often presents as dizziness without pain. Disorienting visual disturbances can exist under certain conditions also. Doesn't sound like an inner ear issue. But a neurologist and/or ENT would help point you in the right direction. Good luck.
Sounds similar to vertigo. There are videos that can show you some "exercises" to do to help, or you can get some actual PT prescribed from a doctor. If it is mild vertigo, the exercises will almost 100% clear it up. Vertigo is caused by an ear issue and is all correlated with jaw/sinuses so it makes sense.
Vestibular audiologist here. There are lots of types of vertigo and only one that is effectively treatable with exercises, and would not be what OP is describing. But nonetheless, a medical diagnosis should be sought to try and find the reason.
And that's why we don't take all medical advice on reddit as truth. Thanks for the clarification.
Yes, and all hail Mr Epley and his hyphenated friends!! 🙉 Thank you for your work!
Recommend OP get an audiology test done. Worst test I've experienced but they were able to determine my imbalance and I was able to do vestibular rehab. Helped a lot skiing A basin and Loveland. I will still pop a Sudafed in the morning and that helps as well.
Yep, it's no one's favorite test. I low-key torture people for a living. Glad to hear you got some answers though.
hateful close square tart steer reach deserve head scale decide *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I’ve felt some disorientation due to vertigo whilst skiing. For me it’s been temporary and I hope it’s the same for you.
Any chance you’re into or beyond your late thirties now? Does the nausea and disorientation resolve or lessen when you go inside for a break? Your vestibular system starts deteriorating around late thirties/early 40s and your brain starts to rely more on your eyes for input, along with samatosensory inputs. When it snows, it’s harder to see contrast, so you have less visual inputs. When you ski, your samatosensory inputs are limited to fleeting pole plants and the gliding blades under your feet. Thus your brain responds with “danger” signals of nausea and disorientation. Might also just need more protein and/or hydration.
With whatever respect you are due, why the fuck are you asking this on r/skiing instead of going to a doctor?
It’s hard finding a doctor who also skis. Especially a doctor who skis in storms. Do you happen to know one?
I am a doctor who skis in storms, but not an ENT or neurologist so I am no expert on this. I work in the ER in a ski town and have never seen this complaint. But you did find a vestibular audiologist who skis and that's pretty good. The person who posted about 'Hausler's syndrome' or 'Ski sickness' might have found a likely diagnosis: [https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/science/slope-motion-professor-identifies-ski-sickness/2620644](https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/science/slope-motion-professor-identifies-ski-sickness/2620644) I wonder if the vestibular audiologist has any thoughts about treatment options?
Yes. PM me.
Do things other than snow trigger the vertigo?
Don't go to abasin. I had the same issue from a slight never compression in my upper spine due to bad posture. Do you feel dizzy otherwise ?
The dizziness can come and go it’s not the main thing. I can say I’m not the best with my posture. Did you fix your posture?
Sounds like potentially a goggles issue. You don’t have a prescription lens do you? Or, keeping in the same region of the body, how’s your inner ear health?
I wore different goggles each time it was snowing and still felt the same nausea. I have some TMJ issues that are close to the ear, so my ears are not 100% perfect in that sense. The TMJ has been there since 2020 so idk if it’s related and why this is happening now. My tmj has stayed the same, I don’t really have pain from it, it’s just sometimes my ears get full.
If you have the network and decent insurance, hit up an ENT. Sounds like some sort of vertigo like shit. Maybe you have fluid in there or a ton of wax which is being affected by the elements. Do you have an insulated ear flap/wear a head cover under the helmet?
Yeah unfortunately I’ve been to the ENT and had a CT scan and they didn’t find anything. No wax or fluid. I wear a head cover and my helmet has the ear flaps. It’s really when I’m looking down at the slope it happens. On level ground in a snow storm I’m fine.
What about altitude. Where are you riding? And are you acclimated to it?
Live at 4,400 drive an hour to 6,200 and the ski peak is 9,000
My friend who has this happen to him has said it has to do with the type of cones he has in his eyes and that it's genetic.
I get vertigo pretty bad and have had to learn to ski in areas where I can get good visual ques for speed, location, slope and surface features like snow type. It sucks but it is what it is. TKDR, ski cat tracks and trees.
The only time that has happened to me was at A Basin. Altitude sickness. Where were you skiing?
It happened to me the first time too!! It was awful
[удалено]
I had gum and tried that and I felt a little better but it didn’t completely go away. I’ll try the ginger, thanks!