decompression sickness
noun
: a sometimes fatal condition that is caused by the release of gas bubbles typically of nitrogen as it leaves its dissolved form throughout the body upon a rapid decrease in barometric pressure (such as that experienced by the rapid ascent of a diver from a deep dive or the rapid ascent of a pilot to high altitudes in a poorly pressurized aircraft) and that is marked chiefly by joint pain which may be accompanied in mild forms by fatigue and itching or burning of the skin and in more severe forms by shortness of breath, chest pain, paralysis, and confusion
called also bends, caisson disease
Examples of decompression sickness in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From its origins in treating decompression sickness to modern-day applications in wound healing, cancer treatment, and many others, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has come a long way, sparking fascination and debate in the healthcare industry.
—
Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 12 May 2024
The mission will also research radiation's impact on the astronauts' health, such as decompression sickness and Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS).
—Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 6 May 2024
For comparison, decompression sickness is often treated at a pressure equivalent to 60 fsw (foot sea water), or 2.8 ATA.
—Ashley Stimpson, Popular Mechanics, 8 Apr. 2023
Beyond the risks of decompression sickness, living under the sea alters the partial pressure of oxygen in the human body.
—Tree Meinch, Discover Magazine, 25 May 2023
For example, scuba divers who do not wait at least 24 hours before flying can come down with the bends, or decompression sickness.
—Andrea Sachs, Anchorage Daily News, 14 May 2023
This is commonly called decompression sickness, or the bends.
—WIRED, 25 Nov. 2022
Know Your Terms: Colloquially known as the Bends, decompression sickness occurs when a diver ascends to the surface too quickly.
—Ashley Stimpson, Popular Mechanics, 8 Apr. 2023
He was later flown to Seattle for hyberbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment for decompression sickness, which is a potential risk of scuba diving.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 3 Nov. 2020
Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 12 May 2024
The mission will also research radiation's impact on the astronauts' health, such as decompression sickness and Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS).
—Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 6 May 2024
For comparison, decompression sickness is often treated at a pressure equivalent to 60 fsw (foot sea water), or 2.8 ATA.
—Ashley Stimpson, Popular Mechanics, 8 Apr. 2023
Beyond the risks of decompression sickness, living under the sea alters the partial pressure of oxygen in the human body.
—Tree Meinch, Discover Magazine, 25 May 2023
For example, scuba divers who do not wait at least 24 hours before flying can come down with the bends, or decompression sickness.
—Andrea Sachs, Anchorage Daily News, 14 May 2023
This is commonly called decompression sickness, or the bends.
—WIRED, 25 Nov. 2022
Know Your Terms: Colloquially known as the Bends, decompression sickness occurs when a diver ascends to the surface too quickly.
—Ashley Stimpson, Popular Mechanics, 8 Apr. 2023
He was later flown to Seattle for hyberbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment for decompression sickness, which is a potential risk of scuba diving.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 3 Nov. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decompression sickness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near decompression sickness
Cite this Entry
“Decompression sickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decompression%20sickness. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share