&;Bends&; are due to
Correct Answer: Nitrogen bubbles that form in muscles and joints
Description: Clinicians recognize three categories of DCS (Decompression Sickness).Mild or type I DCS can include sho-lived mild pains ("niggles"), pruritus, a skin rash, and deep throbbing pain ("bends") resulting from bubbles that form in muscles and joints. Serious or type II DCS can include symptoms in the CNS, lungs, and circulatory system. The CNS disorder--most commonly involving the spinal cord--reflects bubble formation in the myelin sheath of axons that compromises nerve conduction. Symptoms may range from dizziness ("staggers") to paralysis. Pulmonary symptoms ("chokes")--resulting from gas emboli in the pulmonary circulation--include burning pain on inspiration, cough, and respiratory distress. In the circulatory system, bubbles can not only obstruct blood flow but also trigger the coagulation cascade and lead to the release of vasoactive substances. Hypovolemic shock is also a pa of this syndrome. The third category is aerial gas embolization, in which large gas emboli can have catastrophic consequences unless the victim receives immediate recompression treatment.
Category:
Physiology
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now