What is the predominant symptom of decompression sickness?

The predominant symptom of decompression sickness is joint pain, often referred to as "the bends." This occurs as nitrogen bubbles form and expand in the body's tissues and joints when a diver ascends too quickly after spending time at depths under pressure. These bubbles can cause significant pain and discomfort, particularly in areas such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.

Joint pain is a classic hallmark of decompression sickness and is commonly the first symptom that divers recognize during early stages of the condition. This phenomenon can arise due to nitrogen solubility in the blood and tissues, which decreases as pressure is reduced during ascent, causing the gas to come out of solution and form bubbles.

Other symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, and fatigue, can occur as part of decompression sickness but are not as specifically associated with the condition as joint pain. Their presence may vary widely among individuals and can arise from other factors unrelated to decompression sickness, making joint pain the most distinctive and predominant symptom of this medical emergency. Understanding this helps divers and diving supervisors recognize symptoms early and take appropriate action to treat the condition effectively.