decompression sickness

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Noun

decompression sickness (uncountable)

1. (pathology) A sometimes fatal condition resulting from the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood and tissues, because of too rapid decompression, seen especially in deep-sea divers ascending rapidly from a dive. It is characterized by severe pains in the joints and chest, skin irritation, cramps, nausea, and paralysis.

Synonyms

• aeroembolism
• aeroemphysema
• the bends
• caisson disease

Translations

• French: maladie de décompression, maladie des caissons
• German: Dekompressionskrankheit, Caissonkrankheit
• Russian: декомпрессио́нная боле́знь

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