Question

What kind of problem arises when bubbles of nitrogen gas dissolve in blood?

• A. Anoxia
• B. Red fever
• C. Sleeping sickness
• D. Bends

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Bends occur when nitrogen bubbles form in the bloodstream and tissues due to a rapid decrease in pressure, typically after diving.

Answer 2

Bends, also known as decompression sickness, occur when nitrogen bubbles form in the bloodstream and tissues. This happens due to a rapid decrease in pressure, typically following activities such as scuba diving or any situation where a person is exposed to high-pressure environments and then quickly returns to normal atmospheric pressure.

During a dive, the body absorbs nitrogen from the compressed air in the diving tank, as the pressure increases. When a diver ascends too quickly, the pressure drops rapidly, and the dissolved nitrogen comes out of solution, forming bubbles in the tissues and bloodstream. These bubbles can cause blockages in blood vessels, leading to symptoms such as joint pain, dizziness, chest pain, and in severe cases, paralysis or death.

To prevent bends, divers follow a practice known as controlled ascent, where they gradually return to the surface to allow the body to release the excess nitrogen safely. Additionally, decompression stops are made during ascent to ensure a slow and safe off-gassing process.

The condition can be treated through the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, where the patient is exposed to high-pressure oxygen, which helps to dissolve the nitrogen bubbles and reduce symptoms.