Description Decompression sickn...
Description
Decompression sickness or the bends are the symptoms associated with a rapid decrease in surrounding pressure. This most often occurs in scuba divers but also can occur in airplane pilots. When the diver breathes compressed air, extra oxygen and nitrogen enter the blood stream. If the surrounding pressure decreases rapidly during the diver's trip to the surface, the bubbles are not completely absorbed and remain in the blood stream and tissue. These nitrogen bubbles are the cause of the symptoms of the bends. Certain factors increase the risk of developing the bends. Those include smoking, alcohol use, age greater than 30, obesity, poor physical fitness and cold water diving.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include joint pain, dizziness, numbness, weakness, headache and confusion.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical will be performed. The diagnosis can usually be made based on symptoms and a history of recent diving.
Specialists:
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
Workup:
A history and physical will be performed. The diagnosis can usually be made based on symptoms and a history of recent diving.
Specialists:
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine
Treatment
Treatment usually involves the use of a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. This is a high pressure chamber with 100% oxygen that drives the bubbles back into liquid form.