What is a common symptom of decompression sickness?

Joint pain and fatigue are commonly recognized symptoms of decompression sickness, often referred to colloquially as "the bends." This condition arises when a diver ascends too quickly, allowing nitrogen, which has been absorbed into the body at depth under higher pressures, to come out of solution and form bubbles in the tissues and bloodstream.

When these nitrogen bubbles form, they can cause localized pain and inflammation, particularly in the joints, reminiscent of the pain associated with arthritis. Fatigue may also occur as the body responds to the stress of the condition and attempts to manage the physiological implications of nitrogen gas bubbles disrupting normal blood flow and tissue health.

While other symptoms such as skin rashes, nausea and vomiting, and vision disturbances may also occur in certain contexts or for specific types of illnesses, joint pain and fatigue are especially hallmark symptoms of decompression sickness that immediately correlate with the underlying pathological process. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for prompt identification and treatment of the condition in divers.