What is decompression sickness?

Decompression sickness (DCS) is due to the formation of inert gas bubbles in tissues and/or blood due to supersaturation. DCS can be caused by a reduction in ambient pressure during ascent from a dive, rapid altitude excursion, in space or a hyperbaric/hypobaric chamber.

How do members experience decompression sickness?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with decompression sickness*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for decompression sickness*

Who has decompression sickness on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 0
20s 1
30s 2
40s 3
50s 2
60s 2
70+ 1

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 6
Female 5