Occupational illness - Dysbarism

Dysbarism refers to medical conditions resulting from changes in ambient pressure. Various activities are associated with pressure changes. In terms of industrial illness dysbarism is known as decompression sickness.

Cause

Scuba diving is the most frequently cited example, but pressure changes also affect people who work in pressurized environments (for example, caisson workers, underwater or tunnel workers), and people who move between different altitudes.

Decompression sickness, also called the bends, is caused by nitrogen bubbles forming in the bloodstream and tissues of the body. The bubbles occur if you move from deep water towards the surface (where the surrounding pressure is lower) in too short a space of time.

Symptoms occur soon after the dive has finished and, in the most serious cases, it can lead to unconsciousness or death.

Symptom

• Headache or vertigo
• Unusual tiredness or fatigue
• Rash or pain in one or more joints
• Tingling sensation in the arms and legs
• Muscular weakness or paralysis
• Breathing difficulty, shock, unconsciousness and less often death.

Diagnosis

Physicians may carry out various different diagnostic methods to decide what type of treatment may be necessary. usually they involve creating a clearer history and pattern of diving and frequency of working in various different altitude. Physicians may carry out the following diagnosis,

• Balance co-ordination
• Sensitivity to touch
• Muscular strength & reflex

Prevention

although for workers in the occupation that require frequent and intensive diving the following prevention methods will be difficult to follow, but according to Charlotte Barfod, the following helps,

• Dive within the limits set out in the diving tables.
• Keep your rate of ascent to a maximum 10m/min.
• Don't plan any dives that need a decompression stop in the water.
• Make a three-minute safety stop at a depth of 5m.
• Don't dive more than three times in one day.
• If you plan more than one dive in one day, start by making the deepest dive first.
• If you are diving for several days in a row, have a dive-free day after two to three days.
• Don't do any hard work before or after diving.
• Drink lots of liquid before diving. Lack of fluid due to heat or excess alcohol is dangerous.
• Make sure you are in good physical condition and well rested. Have regular medical checkups.
• Make sure there is an interval of at least 24 hours between diving and travel by air or climbing up mountains. If you have had decompression treatment, the recommended interval before the next dive is at least 48 hours.

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