What is a potential symptom of oxygen toxicity?

Oxygen toxicity can occur when a diver breathes in a mixture with a high partial pressure of oxygen, such as nitrox with a high oxygen percentage. One of the significant potential symptoms of this condition includes visual disturbances, which can manifest as blurred vision, tunnel vision, or other visual anomalies. In extreme cases, oxygen toxicity can lead to seizures, which are a serious neurological reaction to elevated oxygen levels in the body.

The underlying mechanism of oxygen toxicity relates to the effect of high oxygen levels on the central nervous system and how it can disrupt normal neuronal function. The risk of these symptoms increases with prolonged exposure to high-pressure oxygen environments, such as during deep dives.

The other symptoms listed, while they may occur in various conditions, are not specific indicators of oxygen toxicity. Shortness of breath can occur for numerous reasons and does not pinpoint oxygen toxicity. Headaches and dizziness can arise from various factors, including dehydration or changes in pressure, not exclusively from elevated oxygen levels. Nausea and vomiting may be related to conditions like decompression sickness or seasickness, rather than being direct indicators of oxygen toxicity. Thus, visual disturbances and seizures specifically characterize the risk associated with high oxygen partial pressures.