A condition that causes nitrogen in the tissues to surge into the blood stream of deep sea divers who surface too rapidly after being under water at depths of 40 ft or more.
A condition in which a person experiences pains in the joints and stomach, and dizziness caused by nitrogen in the blood.
An alternative term for decompression sickness, which typically happens when an individual resurfaces too rapidly following a deep dive, is “the bends.” This condition occurs due to the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the body’s tissues and bloodstream as a result of inadequate decompression during ascent. The term “the bends” is commonly used to describe this condition among divers and in the field of diving medicine.
This condition can occur in individuals working under high atmospheric pressure conditions, such as divers and tunnel workers. It arises due to a too swift return to normal pressure. When the body is exposed to high pressure, its tissues absorb not only oxygen but also nitrogen. If decompression occurs too rapidly, nitrogen bubbles can form in the tissues, especially in the brain, resulting in severe damage. Initial signs of trouble often include excruciating muscle pain. Therefore, decompression must be gradual to allow nitrogen to gradually exit the tissues and be absorbed into the bloodstream in small quantities. This condition is also known as “the bends.”