Details
|
Decompression sickness (also called bends, Caisson disease) is a condition, where blood gases are dissolved and tissues form bubbles, that block the blood flow or otherwise produce pain and other symptoms. Bubbles may form when an individual is moving from high-pressure to low-pressure environment, which happens while ascending from a device. A diver or individual, who is working in a compressed air environment, and breathes air under high pressure taking a higher amount of Nitrogen, Oxygen, and other gases from the air. Because oxygen is used continuously by the person’s body, it generally does not accumulate. Nitrogen however and other gasses dissolve in the individual’s tissues and blood, without accumulating. The only one way they may leave the person’s body is through the lungs and bloodstream – the reverse of the way they came in – and this process takes time. As the external pressure is lowered, which occurs at the time of an ascent from a dive, the pressure cannot be sufficient to have the gases dissolved so bubbles can form in the tissues and blood. A diver may avoid the production of dangerous bubbles by restricting the total amount of gas the body absorbs. The amount may be restricted by limiting the duration of dives and the depth to a range that does not need decompression stops at the time of an ascent. In very rare cases, decompression sickness happens when a diver observes a no-stop limit. Repeated dives can result in decompression sickness. Flying after diving and diving at high altitude requires certain precautions. The most common symptom of decompression sickness is pain (frequently called bends). Usually, it appears near or in the leg or arm joints, but is frequently difficult to pinpoint. Neurologic symptoms such as abnormal brain functions and mild numbness may also occur. The spinal cord is the most vulnerable and causes leg and arm tingling and weakness of arms and legs and can lead to irreversible paralysis until the conditions are treated fast with recompression and oxygen. The inner ear can be affected, resulting in severe vertigo. Less common symptoms of decompression sickness may include skin rashes, fatigue, and itching. Abdominal aches can be resulted from abdominal bubble formations, but girdle pain can indicate spinal cord injury. In late stages of decompression sickness may include aseptic bone necrosis, dysbaric osteonecrosis (destructions of bone tissues), usually in the hip and shoulders, leading to constant pain and severe disabilities. Such damages are most common among individuals, working in a compressed-air environment than among divers, possibly because the high pressure exposure is prolonged and bends are not always treated. Permanent neurologic disorders including partial paralysis, generally is caused by inadequate or delayed treatment of spinal cord injury. In some cases however, the damages are too severe to treat, even with appropriate treatment. Repeated treatment with oxygen in a high-pressure chamber helps some individuals recover from spinal cord damage.
|
