decompression sickness
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- pain resulting from rapid change in pressure