Decompression sickness: Difference between revisions
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[[File: | {{SI}} | ||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Decompression sickness | |||
| image = [[File:Decompression_chamber.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = A [[decompression chamber]] used for treatment | |||
| synonyms = [[The bends]], [[Caisson disease]] | |||
| specialty = [[Emergency medicine]], [[Underwater diving]] | |||
| symptoms = Joint pain, dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, fatigue | |||
| complications = [[Paralysis]], [[death]] | |||
| onset = Minutes to hours after surfacing | |||
| duration = Varies, can be chronic if untreated | |||
| causes = Rapid decrease in pressure around the body | |||
| risks = [[Scuba diving]], [[high-altitude flight]], [[spacewalks]] | |||
| diagnosis = Based on symptoms and history of pressure change | |||
| differential = [[Arterial gas embolism]], [[inner ear barotrauma]] | |||
| prevention = Slow ascent, use of [[decompression stops]], breathing [[oxygen]] | |||
| treatment = [[Hyperbaric oxygen therapy]], supportive care | |||
| prognosis = Good with prompt treatment | |||
| frequency = 1,000 cases per year in the US | |||
}} | |||
[[File:Naval Base Guam dive locker (150225-N-ZB122-002).jpg|thumb|Naval Base Guam dive locker (150225-N-ZB122-002)]] | [[File:Naval Base Guam dive locker (150225-N-ZB122-002).jpg|thumb|Naval Base Guam dive locker (150225-N-ZB122-002)]] | ||
[[File:Early diving recompression chamber at Broome, Western Australia.jpg|thumb|Early diving recompression chamber at Broome, Western Australia]] | [[File:Early diving recompression chamber at Broome, Western Australia.jpg|thumb|Early diving recompression chamber at Broome, Western Australia]] | ||
'''Decompression sickness (DCS)''', also commonly known as '''the bends''', is a potentially serious condition that can occur when a scuba diver ascends too quickly from depth. It results from the formation of gas bubbles in the body's tissues, due to rapid changes in pressure during ascent. | '''Decompression sickness (DCS)''', also commonly known as '''the bends''', is a potentially serious condition that can occur when a scuba diver ascends too quickly from depth. It results from the formation of gas bubbles in the body's tissues, due to rapid changes in pressure during ascent. | ||
== Pathophysiology == | == Pathophysiology == | ||
Under pressure, gases (primarily nitrogen) are dissolved in body tissues. When a diver ascends rapidly, the decrease in pressure can cause these dissolved gases to come out of solution and form bubbles. These bubbles can disrupt normal physiological processes and cause a variety of symptoms. | Under pressure, gases (primarily nitrogen) are dissolved in body tissues. When a diver ascends rapidly, the decrease in pressure can cause these dissolved gases to come out of solution and form bubbles. These bubbles can disrupt normal physiological processes and cause a variety of symptoms. | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
Symptoms of DCS can vary greatly depending on the size and location of the gas bubbles. Common symptoms include joint and muscle pain (hence "the bends"), dizziness, fatigue, and skin rash. More severe symptoms can include paralysis, confusion, seizures, or respiratory and cardiac problems. | Symptoms of DCS can vary greatly depending on the size and location of the gas bubbles. Common symptoms include joint and muscle pain (hence "the bends"), dizziness, fatigue, and skin rash. More severe symptoms can include paralysis, confusion, seizures, or respiratory and cardiac problems. | ||
== Prevention == | == Prevention == | ||
Prevention of DCS primarily involves ascending slowly from depth to allow dissolved gases to be eliminated gradually from the body, a process known as off-gassing. Divers are also often trained to make safety stops during ascent to further reduce the risk. | Prevention of DCS primarily involves ascending slowly from depth to allow dissolved gases to be eliminated gradually from the body, a process known as off-gassing. Divers are also often trained to make safety stops during ascent to further reduce the risk. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
The primary treatment for DCS is recompression in a hyperbaric chamber, which increases pressure and helps to re-dissolve gas bubbles. Oxygen is also often administered to help flush out the nitrogen. | The primary treatment for DCS is recompression in a hyperbaric chamber, which increases pressure and helps to re-dissolve gas bubbles. Oxygen is also often administered to help flush out the nitrogen. | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[Scuba diving]] | * [[Scuba diving]] | ||
* [[Hyperbaric medicine]] | * [[Hyperbaric medicine]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:30, 6 April 2025
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| Decompression sickness | |
|---|---|
| Error creating thumbnail: | |
| Synonyms | The bends, Caisson disease |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | Emergency medicine, Underwater diving |
| Symptoms | Joint pain, dizziness, headache, difficulty breathing, fatigue |
| Complications | Paralysis, death |
| Onset | Minutes to hours after surfacing |
| Duration | Varies, can be chronic if untreated |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Rapid decrease in pressure around the body |
| Risks | Scuba diving, high-altitude flight, spacewalks |
| Diagnosis | Based on symptoms and history of pressure change |
| Differential diagnosis | Arterial gas embolism, inner ear barotrauma |
| Prevention | Slow ascent, use of decompression stops, breathing oxygen |
| Treatment | Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, supportive care |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Good with prompt treatment |
| Frequency | 1,000 cases per year in the US |
| Deaths | N/A |
Decompression sickness (DCS), also commonly known as the bends, is a potentially serious condition that can occur when a scuba diver ascends too quickly from depth. It results from the formation of gas bubbles in the body's tissues, due to rapid changes in pressure during ascent.
Pathophysiology[edit]
Under pressure, gases (primarily nitrogen) are dissolved in body tissues. When a diver ascends rapidly, the decrease in pressure can cause these dissolved gases to come out of solution and form bubbles. These bubbles can disrupt normal physiological processes and cause a variety of symptoms.
Symptoms[edit]
Symptoms of DCS can vary greatly depending on the size and location of the gas bubbles. Common symptoms include joint and muscle pain (hence "the bends"), dizziness, fatigue, and skin rash. More severe symptoms can include paralysis, confusion, seizures, or respiratory and cardiac problems.
Prevention[edit]
Prevention of DCS primarily involves ascending slowly from depth to allow dissolved gases to be eliminated gradually from the body, a process known as off-gassing. Divers are also often trained to make safety stops during ascent to further reduce the risk.
Treatment[edit]
The primary treatment for DCS is recompression in a hyperbaric chamber, which increases pressure and helps to re-dissolve gas bubbles. Oxygen is also often administered to help flush out the nitrogen.
See Also[edit]
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