Decompressieverschijnselen

Decompressieverschijnselen, also known as decompression sickness (DCS) or "the bends," refers to a condition that can occur when a person undergoes a rapid decrease in ambient pressure. This typically happens to divers who ascend too quickly from depth, but can also affect aviators at high altitudes or individuals working in caissons. The underlying cause is the formation of gas bubbles in the body's tissues and bloodstream.

During exposure to increased pressure, such as underwater, gases like nitrogen dissolve into the body's tissues at a higher rate than they would at surface pressure. If the pressure is reduced too rapidly, these dissolved gases cannot be eliminated from the body efficiently. Instead, they come out of solution and form bubbles, similar to how bubbles form when opening a carbonated beverage.

The symptoms of decompressieverschijnselen vary widely depending on the size and location of the bubbles. They can range from mild joint pain, skin rashes, and itching to more severe neurological effects such as dizziness, paralysis, and even death. The onset of symptoms can be immediate or delayed, appearing hours or even days after the pressure change.

Treatment for decompressieverschijnselen typically involves recompression, often in a hyperbaric chamber. This process gradually increases the pressure, allowing the gas bubbles to dissolve back into the body tissues and be eliminated more safely. Prevention is key and involves adhering to strict decompression protocols, which dictate safe ascent rates and necessary decompression stops at specific depths.