Frequently Asked Questions on Diving Medicine

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column el_class=”page-text”][vc_column_text]Raynaud’s Syndrome decreases effective blood flow to the extremities, most significantly fingers and toes; this results in cold, pale fingers and toes, followed by pain and redness in these areas as blood flow returns. The underlying problem is constriction of the blood vessels in response to cold, stress or some other phenomenon supplying these areas. Symptoms are often mild. Raynaud’s phenomenon may occur as an isolated problem, but it is more often associated with autoimmune and connective tissue disorders such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Raynaud’s Syndrome poses a threat to a diver who is so severely affected that he/she may lose function or dexterity in the hands and fingers during the dive. If coldness is a trigger that causes symptoms in the individual, immersion in cold water will likely do the same. These individuals should avoid diving in water cold enough to elicit symptoms in an ungloved hand. The pain may be sufficiently significant that, for all practical purposes, the diver will not be able to use his/her hands. Less severely affected individuals may be able to function adequately in the water. Calcium channel blockers may be prescribed for individuals with severe symptoms; lightheadedness when going from a sitting or supine position to standing may be a significant side effect.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column el_class=”page-text”][vc_column_text]Raynaud’s Syndrome decreases effective blood flow to the extremities, most significantly fingers and toes; this results in cold, pale fingers and toes, followed by pain and redness in these areas as blood flow returns. The underlying problem is constriction of the blood vessels in response to cold, stress or some other phenomenon supplying these areas. Symptoms are often mild. Raynaud’s phenomenon may occur as an isolated problem, but it is more often associated with autoimmune and connective tissue disorders such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Raynaud’s Syndrome poses a threat to a diver who is so severely affected that he/she may lose function or dexterity in the hands and fingers during the dive. If coldness is a trigger that causes symptoms in the individual, immersion in cold water will likely do the same. These individuals should avoid diving in water cold enough to elicit symptoms in an ungloved hand. The pain may be sufficiently significant that, for all practical purposes, the diver will not be able to use his/her hands. Less severely affected individuals may be able to function adequately in the water. Calcium channel blockers may be prescribed for individuals with severe symptoms; lightheadedness when going from a sitting or supine position to standing may be a significant side effect.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column el_class=”page-text”][vc_column_text]La artritis psoriásica es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica del sistema musculoesquelético y, si no está bien compensada o controlada, podría ser una contraindicación para el buceo, ya que hace que el cuerpo sea susceptible al estrés por descompresión. Además, el uso de metotrexato podría suponer un riesgo adicional para su alumno debido a sus efectos secundarios, que incluyen toxicidad pulmonar y mielotoxicidad. Por lo tanto, es imprescindible que un especialista en medicina hiperbárica y buceo evalúe la aptitud de su alumno para bucear, en consulta con el reumatólogo.

Las manifestaciones clínicas de la enfermedad también pueden variar mucho de una persona a otra; por ejemplo, algunos pacientes sufren más las manifestaciones cutáneas de la enfermedad (lesiones descamativas típicas y costras), mientras que otros sufren el tipo artrítico (dolor en las articulaciones y la cintura). A lo largo de la vida, la enfermedad en sí misma puede variar, alternando brotes y períodos de «quietud».

RELATED ALERT DIVER ARTICLES:

Medications and Fitness to Dive[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column el_class=”page-text”][vc_column_text]Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the musculoskeletal system and could itself be a contraindication to diving if not well compensated/controlled, as it makes the body susceptible to decompression stress. In addition, the use of Methotrexate could put your student at further risk because of its side effects, which include pulmonary toxicity and myelotoxicity. It is therefore imperative that you have your student’s fitness to dive assessed by a specialist in diving and hyperbaric medicine in consultation with the rheumatologist.

The clinical manifestations of the disease can also vary greatly from person to person; for example, some patients suffer more from the cutaneous manifestations of the disease (typical desquamative lesions and scabs), while others suffer from the arthritic type (joint and girdle pain). Over the course of a lifetime, the disease itself can vary, alternating between flares and periods of ‘quiescence’.

RELATED ALERT DIVER ARTICLES:

Medications and Fitness to Dive
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[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column el_class=”page-text”][vc_column_text]Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the musculoskeletal system and could itself be a contraindication to diving if not well compensated/controlled, as it makes the body susceptible to decompression stress. In addition, the use of Methotrexate could put your student at further risk because of its side effects, which include pulmonary toxicity and myelotoxicity. It is therefore imperative that you have your student’s fitness to dive assessed by a specialist in diving and hyperbaric medicine in consultation with the rheumatologist.

The clinical manifestations of the disease can also vary greatly from person to person; for example, some patients suffer more from the cutaneous manifestations of the disease (typical desquamative lesions and scabs), while others suffer from the arthritic type (joint and girdle pain). Over the course of a lifetime, the disease itself can vary, alternating between flares and periods of ‘quiescence’.

RELATED ALERT DIVER ARTICLES:

Medications and Fitness to Dive
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