The health problems caused by nitrogen bubbles in a scuba diver’s bloodstream, which can block the flow of blood. Decompression sickness, also called “the bends,” usually results from an ascent to the surface of the water that is too rapid to allow the release of excess nitrogen absorbed with oxygen during the descent into the water. Nitrogen, which is an inert gas, is not metabolized by the body and may be especially retained in fatty tissue. All of it must be released from the body through exhalation as a diver ascends. When the ascent is too rapid, the nitrogen cannot escape, and this can result in nitrogen bubbles forming in the diver’s blood, preventing normal blood flow. The side effects of this blockage may range from discomforts such as headaches, to more severe impairment including confusion and paralysis, to dire outcomes, such as coma and death. The treatment for decompression sickness is hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
A condition observed in divers, referred to as “the bends,” wherein nitrogen gas bubbles develop within tissues and blood vessels due to a reduction in surrounding pressure, such as during ascent from a dive. This condition can be distressing, particularly when the nitrogen bubbles infiltrate the joints, causing intense pain and resulting in individuals adopting a stooped or bent posture while walking.
Decompression sickness, commonly known as “the bends,” poses a risk to divers and individuals exposed to compressed air or gas mixtures. This condition occurs when gas bubbles form within the body tissues, hindering the normal flow of blood.
During deep dives, divers accumulate inert gas in their body tissues due to the high-pressure gas mixture they breathe. To prevent complications, it is crucial to allow the excess gas to gradually escape from the tissues into the lungs through controlled slow ascent or pressure release. However, if the ascent occurs too rapidly, causing a sudden drop in pressure, the gas can no longer be retained within the tissues and is released in the form of bubbles.
The presence of gas bubbles can obstruct blood vessels, leading to various symptoms. These may include skin itching, discoloration (mottling), and intense pain in and around major joints. Symptoms related to nervous system dysfunction, such as leg weakness or visual disturbances, are especially critical. Additionally, a distressing sensation of tightness and pain across the chest is also considered significant.
In the case of divers experiencing decompression sickness, they are promptly placed inside a recompression chamber. The pressure within the chamber is increased, which facilitates the redissolution of bubbles within the tissues. Subsequently, the pressure is gradually decreased in the chamber, enabling the safe release of excess gas through the lungs.
When divers affected by the “bends” receive prompt treatment through recompression, the majority of them achieve complete recovery. However, in severe cases that remain untreated, there is a risk of long-term complications, such as partial paralysis. If episodes of decompression sickness occur repeatedly, it can potentially result in degenerative disorders affecting the bones or joints.
An ailment that can affect aviators who ascend too rapidly into thin air; symptoms generally subside when descending to a lower altitude.