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Health Tip: Symptoms of 'The Bends'

on 04/12/2007

(HealthDay News) -- Decompression sickness, commonly called "the bends," occurs in divers who dive deep into the water and swim back to the surface too quickly.

When divers ascend too quickly, the body does not rid itself of the gas bubbles that form during a deep dive.

Here are common symptoms of "the bends," courtesy of the National Association of Rescue Divers:

Joint or muscle pain.
Dizziness or staggering when walking.
Paralysis.
Shortness of breath.
Extreme fatigue.
Skin rash.
Choking.
Numbness, tingling, or lack of sensation.
Collapse or loss of consciousness.

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