Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical condition caused by dissolved gases (mainly nitrogen) coming out of solution in the bloodstream and tissues when ambient pressure decreases too rapidly: This condition, also known as "the bends," typically affects divers, aviators, and caisson workers. It results in pain, neurological symptoms, and can be life-threatening.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The diver was rushed to the hospital after showing symptoms of decompression sickness.
  • Proper ascent procedures are critical to avoid decompression sickness.
  • Decompression sickness can cause joint pain, dizziness, and paralysis.

Advanced Usage

• "to suffer from decompression sickness": to experience the symptoms of this condition.
  • Several workers on the tunnel project suffered from decompression sickness.
• "a case of decompression sickness": an instance of this illness.
  • The clinic treated a severe case of decompression sickness last week.

Variants and Related Words

• The bends (noun, informal): A common synonym for decompression sickness.
  • He got the bends after a deep dive.
• Caisson disease (noun): An older, technical term for decompression sickness, historically associated with workers in pressurized caissons.
• Decompression illness (DCI) (noun): A broader term that encompasses both decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism.
• Hyperbaric (adjective): Relating to high ambient pressure, as in the treatment for this condition.
  • He underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Synonyms

• The bends (informal)
• Caisson disease (technical/historical)
• Diver's disease (informal)

Related Phrases

• To get/have the bends: To contract decompression sickness (informal).
  • If you ascend too quickly, you could get the bends.
• Decompression stop: A pause during ascent to allow gases to safely leave the body and prevent sickness.
  • The dive plan included a three-minute decompression stop at five meters.

Noun

1. pain resulting from rapid change in pressure