Caisson disease

Caisson disease: The dangers of underwater work and its consequences

Caisson sickness, also known as decompression sickness or "diver's sickness", is a serious illness associated with underwater work and prolonged exposure to deep water. The term "Caisson" comes from the French word "caisson", which means a chamber for underwater work.

This illness occurs due to a failure in the decompression process when a diver or worker at significant depths returns to the surface too quickly. When working underwater at great depths, air dissolves under pressure, which is then absorbed by the body's tissues. If decompression does not occur gradually and in a controlled manner during ascent, dissolved air can form bubbles in tissues and blood vessels.

Symptoms of Caisson's disease can vary and depend on which organs and tissues are affected. Main symptoms include joint and muscle pain, burning or numbness, breathing problems, dizziness, visual disturbances, loss of consciousness and even seizures. In some cases, Caisson disease can lead to serious complications such as paralysis or seizures.

Treatment for Caisson's disease is usually carried out in a hyperbaric chamber, which creates increased atmospheric pressure. This helps speed up decompression and dissolution of air bubbles in the tissues. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy also improves blood circulation and promotes healing of damaged tissue.

However, as they say, “prevention is better than cure.” Prevention of Caisson disease is based on strict adherence to decompression procedures during ascent. Divers and underwater workers must be properly trained and use specialized equipment, such as decompression chambers and decompression tables, to monitor and manage the ascent process.

Caisson disease is a serious condition that can have long-term health consequences. Underwater work requires special care and strict adherence to safety measures to prevent the occurrence of this disease. A deeper understanding of the causes and mechanisms of development of Caisson's disease allows us to develop more effective measures to prevent and treat this disease.

In addition to underwater work, Caisson disease can also occur during diving and scuba diving, especially if safety rules and decompression recommendations are not followed. It is therefore important that divers and snorkelers are aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions.

In conclusion, Caisson disease is a serious condition associated with underwater work and improper decompression upon ascent. It can cause a variety of symptoms and complications that require immediate medical attention. Prevention of decompression disease is based on strict adherence to decompression rules and the use of specialized equipment. Safety and proper education are key to reducing the risk of developing this disease.

Caisson disease is a disease caused by exposure to nitrogen entering the body through breathing during deep immersion under water. In Rus', respiratory failure was called “caisson”, hence the name of the disease. In the 19th century, caisson work became common in the construction and restoration of buildings, but the experience of building piers and bridges was unsuccessful and led to the death of hundreds of workers. The penetration of gases into the brain turned out to be inevitable due to leaky breathing valves, imperfect technology, respirators and hypoxic exercises with held breathing. Although deaths during the first dives to great depths were observed already in the 70s of the 18th century, the causes were considered to be drowning in cold water or refusal of decompression by divers. The disease is named after the English diving professor W. Winthrop Kesson, the doctor who discovered the disease: what it looks like is evidenced by the case of “black strokes”.