DECOMPRESSION DISEASE Meaning and
Definition
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Decompression disease, also known as decompression sickness or "the bends," is a condition that occurs when there is a rapid reduction in pressure on the body, typically after ascending too quickly from deep underwater or from high altitudes. The condition is primarily associated with diving and aviation activities.
When a person dives underwater, the water pressure increases with depth. This increased pressure causes the body to absorb higher levels of nitrogen gas, which is present in the air we breathe but is not used by the body. If a diver ascends too quickly, the pressure decreases rapidly, and the excess nitrogen can form gas bubbles in the body tissues and bloodstream.
Symptoms of decompression disease can vary and typically include joint pain, fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, paralysis or even death. The severity of symptoms depends on the extent and location of the nitrogen bubbles.
Treatment for decompression disease typically involves transporting the affected person to a hyperbaric chamber, a medical facility that can replicate the high-pressure environment of diving. In the hyperbaric chamber, high-pressure oxygen is administered, which helps to dissolve the nitrogen bubbles and reduce the symptoms.
Prevention is crucial in managing decompression disease. Follow established dive tables or computer algorithms for proper decompression stops during ascent, take adequate breaks between dives, and ascend slowly. Similarly, in aviation, pilots should follow recommended pressure changes during ascent and descent. Through careful planning and adherence to safety protocols, most instances of decompression disease can be avoided.
Common Misspellings for DECOMPRESSION DISEASE
- secompression disease
- xecompression disease
- cecompression disease
- fecompression disease
- recompression disease
- eecompression disease
- dwcompression disease
- dscompression disease
- ddcompression disease
- drcompression disease
- d4compression disease
- d3compression disease
- dexompression disease
- devompression disease
- defompression disease
- dedompression disease
- decimpression disease
- deckmpression disease
- declmpression disease
- decpmpression disease
Etymology of DECOMPRESSION DISEASE
The word "decompression disease" is derived from the combination of two terms: "decompression" and "disease".
- "Decompression" comes from the verb "decompress", which refers to the reduction of pressure or the act of releasing pressure. It is derived from the prefix "de-" meaning "to remove" or "reverse" and the word "compression", which denotes the act of applying pressure or compressing something.
- "Disease" has its roots in the Old French word "desaise", which means "lack of ease" or "discomfort". It is derived from the Latin words "dis-" (apart, away) and "aestesis" (sensation, feeling).
When combined, "decompression disease" refers to a medical condition caused by the sudden reduction of pressure in a particular environment, often due to a quick ascent from deep water or high altitude.
