Caisson disease

Caisson disease also known as decompression sickness or the bends, is a condition that affects individuals exposed to rapid changes in pressure, such as deep-sea divers, tunnel workers, or high-altitude pilots.

History

The term "caisson disease" was first used in the 19th century during the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. Workers who were operating in pressurized caissons experienced symptoms of the disease after emerging from the pressurized environment.

Causes

Caisson disease is caused by the formation of inert gas bubbles in tissues and the bloodstream during or after rapid decompression. The primary gas involved is nitrogen, which is dissolved in body tissues and fluids when under pressure. If the pressure is reduced too quickly, the nitrogen comes out of solution and forms bubbles.

Symptoms

Symptoms of caisson disease can range from mild to severe, and can include joint and muscle pain, dizziness, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, and skin rashes. In severe cases, it can lead to paralysis, cardiac arrest, and even death.

Treatment

The primary treatment for caisson disease is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, in which the patient is placed in a pressurized chamber and breathes pure oxygen. This helps to reduce the size of the nitrogen bubbles and allows them to be gradually reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Prevention

Prevention of caisson disease involves careful planning and control of diving operations to avoid rapid decompression. This includes the use of dive tables or dive computers to calculate safe ascent rates, and the use of decompression stops during ascent to allow nitrogen to be gradually eliminated from the body.

See also

• Decompression (diving)
• Diving medicine
• Hyperbaric medicine