decompression illness

Decompression illness (also called "the bends") occurs when a diver ascends too quickly, causing nitrogen gas absorbed into the body’s tissues under pressure to form bubbles. These bubbles can block blood flow and irritate tissues, leading to symptoms like joint pain, dizziness, fatigue, or more serious issues such as paralysis. The condition results from rapid decompression, preventing nitrogen from safely leaving the body. Treatment typically involves breathing pure oxygen and returning to a controlled environment, often in a decompression chamber, to allow the nitrogen bubbles to dissolve safely.