DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS (Caisson Disease; "The Bends") |
|
|
DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS (Caisson Disease; "The Bends")
DESCRIPTIONDecompression sickness is a painful, sometimes life-threatening condition of blood gases. It is caused by a sudden drop in environmental pressure. Blood throughout the body is involved.
Appropriate health care includes:
Physician's monitoring of general condition and medications.
Hospitalization in a decompression chamber to force nitrogen bubbles to dissolve into the blood.
Self-care after diagnosis.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
The following may occur immediately or up to 24 hours after the pressure change:
Mild to severe joint pain, especially in your child's shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, "chokes" (See Glossary), coughing, and a burning sensation behind the breastbone.
Weakness, loss of normal sensation, paralysis, loss of consciousness, and coma (rare).
Inability to speak, blindness, and deafness.
Abdominal pain.
Difficult urination.
CAUSES
Formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood. Nitrogen is a normal blood component. If the pressure around your child's body drops rapidly--as in surfacing too quickly while scuba diving, or climbing too rapidly in a non-pressurized aircraft -- the nitrogen collects in bubbles in the blood vessels, blocking them and depriving the body of essential blood nutrients.
RISK FACTORS
Recreational scuba diving or commercial diving. Repeated dives in one day increase the risk.
Some kinds of high-performance aircraft.
PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS OR RECURRENCEInstructions for your child:
Obtain professional instruction before scuba diving.
Don't dive if you are not in good general health. You are at risk if you are obese or have a medical history of:
-- Lung conditions, such as asthma.
-- Spontaneous pneumothorax.
-- Heart disease.
-- Chronic sinusitis.
-- Emotional instability.
-- Alcoholism.
Allow for a slow, gradual change to normal air pressure in situations listed above. (The U.S. Navy has tested and established guidelines.)
Avoid air travel for 24 hours after diving.
BASIC INFORMATION
MEDICAL TESTS
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Permanent brain damage.
Permanent bone destruction caused by inadequate nourishment from the blood.
PROBABLE OUTCOME
Complete recovery with treatment.
TREATMENT
HOME CARESelf-care is impossible for this condition. If you observe your child with symptoms of decompression sickness, obtain emergency medical care immediately.
MEDICATION
Medicine usually is not necessary for this disorder. Don't give your child pain relievers. These may further decrease normal breathing efficiency.
See Medications section for information regarding medicines your doctor may prescribe.
ACTIVITY
Your child can resume normal activities as soon as symptoms improve after treatment.
DIET & FLUIDS
No special diet.
OK TO GO TO SCHOOL?When appetite has returned and alertness, strength, and feeling of well-being will allow.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
Your child develops any symptoms of decompression sickness within 24 hours after scuba diving or rapid ascent without pressurization.
‡
|
|
|
|
Dserun mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum and sunt in culpa qui officias deserunt mollit. Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. September 24, 2004
