Decompression sickness occurs when a reduction in surrounding pressure allows dissolved gas to form bubbles in the body. It most often follows diving and can affect the joints, skin, nervous system or lungs. Symptoms can be mild at first but may progress to serious illness.
Recompression with hyperbaric oxygen is a central treatment for decompression sickness. It helps reduce bubble size and improve oxygen delivery to affected tissues. Suspected decompression sickness requires urgent emergency assessment and access to an appropriate diving-medicine service; an outpatient appointment must not delay treatment. Oceanside Hyperbaric is not an emergency facility.
Gas bubbles form in the body after a rapid pressure change, most often following diving.
Air or gas bubbles enter the bloodstream and can block circulation to vital organs.
.svg)