What is Decompression Sickness
Decompression sickness, also known as “the bends,” occurs when a person moves from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure too quickly. Decompression sickness is considered a medical emergency.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by gas bubbles that form in your blood and tissues when air or water pressure changes from high to low too quickly. The gas enters your blood when you are in an area of high pressure. Moving to an area of low pressure too fast does not give your body enough time to clear this gas out of your blood.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to develop in:
- Divers who have been in deep water for too long.
- People flying in an unpressurized aircraft.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition begin within 36 hours after returning to low pressure. Symptoms include:
- Pain or tingling in a joint.
- Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the arms or legs.
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
- Confusion.
- Fatigue.
- Vision changes.
- Trouble breathing.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed with a medical history and physical exam. There are no specific tests for decompression sickness. However, your health care provider may order blood tests and X-ray exams to help determine what is wrong.
How is this treated?
This condition is treated with fluids given through an IV tube and oxygen. You will be given oxygen right away and transferred as soon as possible to a hyperbaric oxygen facility. There you will enter a chamber where oxygen is given at a pressure that will dissolve the gas bubbles in your body.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Drink enough fluids to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol for as long as told by your health care provider.
How is this prevented?
- Before
diving:
- Make sure you are rested and well hydrated.
- Do notdrink alcohol.
- When
diving:
- Descend and rise slowly.
- Do notstay in deep water for longer than recommended. Dive tables can help determine how long you can stay at a certain depth. Remember that dive tables are calculated for young, healthy divers. Make adjustments as needed.
- After
diving:
- Avoid hot tubs and saunas.
- Do notfly for 48 hours after diving.
Get help right away if:
- You have trouble moving your arms or legs.
- You have pain or numbness in your arms or legs.
- You lose control of your bladder or bowel movements.
- You experience memory loss.
- Your vision changes.
- You develop chest pain, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
