Caisson Disease or Decompression Sickness

Caisson disease is also known as decompression sickness or diver's disease. When the body is subjected to high surrounding pressure (e.g. scuba diving), more than usual amount of Nitrogen gets dissolved in the blood. If the pressure is relieved suddenly, the dissolved Nitrogen can become gaseous quicker than the body can get rid of. These bubbles can lead to ischemia by blocking blood vessels. Clinical situations when such sudden depressurization can occur include scuba diving, caisson working, mining, flying in unpressurised aircraft, and extra-vehicular activity from spacecraft.

Depending upon the location of ischemia a variety of symptoms can results. Classically the symptoms are described as the bends, the chokes and the staggers!

The bends: refers to pain in the joints from ischemia of joint capsules
The chokes: refers to dyspnea
The staggers: refers to neurological symptoms.

Prevention:


-Divers should limit their ascent rate to about 10 metres per minute.
-Oxygen pre-breathing

Treatment:

-Administer 100% oxygen by face mask until re-compression with 100% oxygen until hyperbaric oxygen therapy is available.
-Treat dehydration