With in-depth information about common medical concerns and their significance to divers, Diseases & Conditions entries cover anatomy, epidemiology, symptoms, prevention, first aid and more. Implications for diving are included for the diver, dive operator and physician.
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While believed to be the solution for any dive injury, hyperbaric chambers are not readily available for public use, and DAN does not disclose their locations. Learn why.
In-water recompression is a controversial technique used to help treat symptoms of decompression sickness. Learn more about in-water recompression and why DAN is against its practice.
Healthy ears are essential in diving. Learn the basic anatomy and function implications in diving.
The urge to urinate is common in diving, even among divers who don’t usually need to urinate frequently. The explanation is rooted in dive physiology. The phenomenon is known as […]
More than 25 million Americans — including some divers — have asthma. If the disease is well managed and the individual has good lung function and exercise tolerance, a doctor trained in dive medicine may approve of diving.
A DAN study on diabetes and diving monitored plasma glucose levels in divers with and without diabetes. The findings of this study offer insights into the effects of diving on blood glucose and considerations for divers with diabetes.
Decompression illness (DCI) encompasses two conditions: decompression sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE). Symptoms of DCI include numbness and tingling, pain in the joints or muscles, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath and more.
Flying after diving can increase the risk of decompression sickness (DCS) because of the relative decrease in ambient pressure with altitude. Here’s how to lower your likelihood of DCS and ensure your safety during your next flight.
Anxiety is a mental health condition that refers to an overwhelming sense of apprehension or fearfulness. Anxiety can produce both psychological and physical symptoms that may be relevant in diving.
Hypertension is a common medical condition in both the general population and among divers. Hypertension affects people differently, and not everyone knows they have it. Certain medications may have implications for diving.
Diving exposes the eyes to increased pressure. While most of the time this has little or no negative effects on the diver, problems are possible. Learn more about how cataract surgery, glaucoma and other eye-related concerns may affect diving.
Failure to properly equalize the air space in your mask may result in an injury to the face and/or one or both eyes. Common among new divers, this condition can be avoided with attention to equalization while diving.