What is a common symptom of decompression sickness?

Joint pain is often referred to as "the bends" when discussing decompression sickness. This condition occurs when nitrogen bubbles form in the body due to a rapid decrease in pressure, such as when a diver ascends too quickly. These bubbles can accumulate in various tissues, particularly affecting the joints, leading to pain and discomfort.

While other symptoms like headaches, shortness of breath, and nausea can occur in different medical conditions or even in diving-related issues, joint pain is specifically associated with the formation of gas bubbles disrupting the normal function of the joints and surrounding tissues in decompression sickness. This symptom is one of the most recognizable and typically presents shortly after the diver's ascension, which further cements its association with this condition.