What happens to inert gases during decompression sickness?

During decompression sickness, inert gases, such as nitrogen, are subjected to changes in pressure as a diver ascends from deeper waters. Under high pressure, these gases dissolve into the blood and body tissues. However, when a diver ascends too quickly and experiences decompression, the pressure surrounding the body decreases rapidly. As a result, the dissolved gases can no longer remain in a dissolved state and instead form bubbles within the body tissues and bloodstream.

These bubbles can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as joint pain, dizziness, and more severe complications depending on their location and size. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as "the bends." Understanding this process is crucial for divers to safely manage their ascents and avoid the detrimental effects of rapid decompression.

The other choices do not accurately represent the effects of decompression on inert gases: the gases do not continue being absorbed (since they are already saturated), they do not increase in pressure within the body (the body experiences a drop in external pressure), nor do they remain unchanged, as the entire essence of decompression involves significant changes in how these gases behave.