Decompression Sickness
Decompression
Diving
Noble Gases
Embolism, Air
Decompression, Surgical
Air Pressure
Hyperbaric Oxygenation
Inert Gas Narcosis
Barotrauma
Methanobacteriaceae
Atmospheric Pressure
Helium
Atmosphere Exposure Chambers
Motion Sickness
Brown-Sequard Syndrome
Gases
Air
Nitrogen
Serum Sickness
Sick Leave
Diving and the risk of barotrauma. (1/143)
STUDY OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary barotrauma (PBT) of ascent is a feared complication in compressed air diving. Although certain respiratory conditions are thought to increase the risk of suffering PBT and thus should preclude diving, in most cases of PBT, risk factors are described as not being present. The purpose of our study was to evaluate factors that possibly cause PBT. DESIGN: We analyzed 15 consecutive cases of PBT with respect to dive factors, clinical and radiologic features, and lung function. They were compared with 15 cases of decompression sickness without PBT, which appeared in the same period. RESULTS: Clinical features of PBT were arterial gas embolism (n = 13), mediastinal emphysema (n = 1), and pneumothorax (n = 1). CT of the chest (performed in 12 cases) revealed subpleural emphysematous blebs in 5 cases that were not detected in preinjury and postinjury chest radiographs. A comparison of predive lung function between groups showed significantly lower midexpiratory flow rates at 50% and 25% of vital capacity in PBT patients (p < 0.05 and p < 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that divers with preexisting small lung cysts and/or end-expiratory flow limitation may be at risk of PBT. (+info)Open water scuba diving accidents at Leicester: five years' experience. (2/143)
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, type, outcome, and possible risk factors of diving accidents in each year of a five year period presenting from one dive centre to a large teaching hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department. METHODS: All patients included in this study presented to the A&E department at a local teaching hospital in close proximity to the largest inland diving centre in the UK. Our main outcome measures were: presenting symptoms, administration of recompression treatment, mortality, and postmortem examination report where applicable. RESULTS: Overall, 25 patients experienced a serious open water diving accident at the centre between 1992 and 1996 inclusive. The percentage of survivors (n = 18) with symptoms of decompression sickness receiving recompression treatment was 52%. All surviving patients received medical treatment for at least 24 hours before discharge. The median depth of diving accidents was 24 metres (m) (range 7-36 m). During the study period, 1992-96, the number of accidents increased from one to 10 and the incidence of diving accidents increased from four per 100,000 to 15.4 per 100,000. Over the same time period the number of deaths increased threefold. CONCLUSIONS: The aetiology of the increase in the incidence of accidents is multifactorial. Important risk factors were thought to be: rapid ascent (in 48% of patients), cold water, poor visibility, the number of dives per diver, and the experience of the diver. It is concluded that there needs to be an increased awareness of the management of diving injuries in an A&E department in close proximity to an inland diving centre. (+info)Predicting risk of decompression sickness in humans from outcomes in sheep. (3/143)
In animals, the response to decompression scales as a power of species body mass. Consequently, decompression sickness (DCS) risk in humans should be well predicted from an animal model with a body mass comparable to humans. No-stop decompression outcomes in compressed air and nitrogen-oxygen dives with sheep (n = 394 dives, 14.5% DCS) and humans (n = 463 dives, 4.5% DCS) were used with linear-exponential, probabilistic modeling to test this hypothesis. Scaling the response parameters of this model between species (without accounting for body mass), while estimating tissue-compartment kinetic parameters from combined human and sheep data, predicts combined risk better, based on log likelihood, than do separate sheep and human models, a combined model without scaling, and a kinetic-scaled model. These findings provide a practical tool for estimating DCS risk in humans from outcomes in sheep, especially in decompression profiles too risky to test with humans. This model supports the hypothesis that species of similar body mass have similar DCS risk. (+info)A study of decompression sickness after commercial air diving in the Northern Arabian Gulf: 1993-95. (4/143)
Over 50,000 commercial air dives carried out in the Northern Arabian Gulf over a three-year period were analyzed to identify risk factors for decompression sickness. Dive depth and bottom time were found to be the only significant factors and occurrence rates were comparable to those found in the 1980s in the North Sea. (+info)Use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Hong Kong. (5/143)
The Recompression Treatment Centre on Stonecutters Island has been operating in Hong Kong for more than 5 years and has been used to treat a variety of diving-related and other conditions by means of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Up to the end of December 1997, 295 treatment sessions had been conducted for 39 patients. This article reviews the usefulness of and indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. (+info)Relationship between the clinical features of neurological decompression illness and its causes. (6/143)
There is dispute as to whether paradoxical gas embolism is an important aetiological factor in neurological decompression illness, particularly when the spinal cord is affected. We performed a blind case-controlled study to determine the relationship between manifestations of neurological decompression illness and causes in 100 consecutive divers with neurological decompression illness and 123 unaffected historical control divers. The clinical effects of neurological decompression illness (including the sites of lesions and latency of onset) were correlated with the presence of right-to-left shunts, lung disease and a provocative dive profile. The prevalence and size of shunts determined by contrast echocardiography were compared in affected divers and controls. Right-to-left shunts, particularly those which were large and present without a Valsalva manoeuvre, were significantly more common in divers who had neurological decompression illness than in controls (P<0.001). Shunts graded as large or medium in size were present in 52% of affected divers and 12.2% of controls (P<0.001). Spinal decompression illness occurred in 26 out of 52 divers with large or medium shunts and in 12 out of 48 without (P<0.02). The distribution of latencies of symptoms differed markedly in the 52 divers with a large or medium shunt and in the 30 divers who had lung disease or a provocative dive profile. In most cases of neurological decompression illness the cause can be determined by taking a history of the dive profile and latency of onset, and by performing investigations to detect a right-to-left shunt and lung disease. Using this information it is possible to advise divers on the risk of returning to diving and on ways of reducing the risk if diving is resumed. Most cases of spinal decompression illness are associated with a right-to-left shunt. (+info)Natural history of severe decompression sickness after rapid ascent from air saturation in a porcine model. (7/143)
We developed a swine model to describe the untreated natural history of severe decompression sickness (DCS) after direct ascent from saturation conditions. In a recompression chamber, neutered male Yorkshire swine were pressurized to a predetermined depth from 50-150 feet of seawater [fsw; 2.52-5.55 atmospheres absolute (ATA)]. After 22 h, they returned to the surface (1 ATA) at 30 fsw/min (0.91 ATA/min) without decompression stops and were observed. Depth was the primary predictor of DCS incidence (R = 0.52, P < 0.0001) and death (R = 0.54, P < 0.0001). Severe DCS, defined as neurological or cardiopulmonary impairment, occurred in 78 of 128 animals, and 42 of 51 animals with cardiopulmonary DCS died within 1 h after surfacing. Within 24 h, 29 of 30 survivors with neurological DCS completely resolved their deficits without intervention. Pretrial Monte Carlo analysis decreased subject requirement without sacrificing power. This model provides a useful platform for investigating the pathophysiology of severe DCS and testing therapeutic interventions. The results raise important questions about present models of human responses to similar decompressive insults. (+info)Decompression illness associated with underwater logging: 6 case reports from Kenyir Lake, Malaysia. (8/143)
The formation of Kenyir Lake as part of a hydroelectric project in the 1980s caused much forest area to be submerged. From 1991, underwater divers were employed to log these sunken trees at depths of up to 100 meters. At least 6 mishaps involving underwater logging personnel were recorded from March 1994 to August 1996. We retrospectively reviewed 5 cases who were managed in Hospital Kuala Terengganu. The patients presented with marked cardiorespiratory and neurological disturbances. One diver died in the Hospital while another died at the recompression chamber. Three divers were treated with recompression and improved. Average delay before the start of recompression was 14 hours. Underwater logging has definite dangers and steps must be taken to ensure that both the divers and the equipment are appropriate for the task. Availability of a nearby recompression facility would greatly enhance the management of diving accidents, not only for commercial divers but also for recreational divers who frequent the islands nearby. (+info)Decompression sickness (DCS), also known as "the bends," is a medical condition that results from dissolved gases coming out of solution in the body's tissues and forming bubbles during decompression. This typically occurs when a person who has been exposed to increased pressure at depth, such as scuba divers or compressed air workers, ascends too quickly.
The elevated pressure at depth causes nitrogen to dissolve into the blood and tissues of the body. As the diver ascends and the pressure decreases, the dissolved gases form bubbles, which can cause symptoms ranging from joint pain and rashes to paralysis and death. The risk of DCS is influenced by several factors, including depth, duration of exposure, rate of ascent, and individual susceptibility.
Prevention of DCS involves following established dive tables or using a personal decompression computer to calculate safe ascent rates and decompression stops. Additionally, proper hydration, fitness, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco before diving can reduce the risk of DCS. Treatment typically involves administering oxygen and recompression therapy in a hyperbaric chamber.
Decompression, in the medical context, refers to the process of reducing pressure on a body part or on a tissue, organ, or fluid within the body. This is often used to describe procedures that are intended to relieve excessive pressure built up inside the body, such as:
1. Decompression sickness treatment: Also known as "the bends," this condition occurs when nitrogen bubbles form in the blood and tissues due to rapid decompression, typically during scuba diving. Decompression involves using a hyperbaric chamber to slowly reduce the pressure and allow the nitrogen to safely dissolve and be eliminated from the body.
2. Spinal decompression: This is a minimally invasive therapeutic treatment for managing pain in the spine, often used to alleviate pressure on nerves or discs within the spinal column. Decompression can be achieved through various methods, such as traction, motorized tables, or vacuum-created devices that gently stretch and realign the spine, promoting circulation and reducing pressure on compressed nerves.
3. Ear decompression: This procedure is used to equalize pressure in the middle ear during scuba diving or flying at high altitudes. It can be achieved by swallowing, yawning, or performing the Valsalva maneuver (pinching the nose and blowing gently). In some cases, a doctor may need to perform a myringotomy, which involves making a small incision in the eardrum to relieve pressure.
4. Decompression of body parts: This can be relevant in situations where a part of the body is subjected to increased pressure due to various reasons, such as compartment syndrome or edema. In these cases, decompression may involve surgical intervention to release the pressure and prevent further damage to tissues and nerves.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and there might be other medical scenarios where the term "decompression" is used in a similar context.
The term "diving" is generally not used in the context of medical definitions. However, when referring to diving in relation to a medical or physiological context, it usually refers to the act of submerging the body underwater, typically for activities such as swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving.
In a medical or physiological sense, diving can have specific effects on the human body due to changes in pressure, temperature, and exposure to water. Some of these effects include:
* Changes in lung volume and gas exchange due to increased ambient pressure at depth.
* Decompression sickness (DCS) or nitrogen narcosis, which can occur when dissolved gases form bubbles in the body during ascent from a dive.
* Hypothermia, which can occur if the water is cold and the diver is not adequately insulated.
* Barotrauma, which can occur due to pressure differences between the middle ear or sinuses and the surrounding environment.
* Other medical conditions such as seizures or heart problems can also be exacerbated by diving.
It's important for divers to undergo proper training and certification, follow safe diving practices, and monitor their health before and after dives to minimize the risks associated with diving.
The Noble gases are a group of elements in the periodic table, specifically helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn). They are called "noble" because they are very unreactive due to having a full complement of electrons in their outer atomic shell, which makes them stable and non-reactive with other elements. This property also means that they do not form compounds under normal conditions. Noble gases are colorless, odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic gases. They are used in various applications such as lighting, medical imaging, and scientific research.
An air embolism is a medical condition that occurs when one or more air bubbles enter the bloodstream and block or obstruct blood vessels. This can lead to various symptoms depending on the severity and location of the obstruction, including shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, stroke, or even death.
Air embolisms can occur in a variety of ways, such as during certain medical procedures (e.g., when air is accidentally introduced into a vein or artery), trauma to the lungs or blood vessels, scuba diving, or mountain climbing. Treatment typically involves administering oxygen and supportive care, as well as removing the source of the air bubbles if possible. In severe cases, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be used to help reduce the size of the air bubbles and improve outcomes.
Surgical decompression is a medical procedure that involves relieving pressure on a nerve or tissue by creating additional space. This is typically accomplished through the removal of a portion of bone or other tissue that is causing the compression. The goal of surgical decompression is to alleviate symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness caused by the compression.
In the context of spinal disorders, surgical decompression is often used to treat conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or bone spurs that are compressing nerves in the spine. The specific procedure used may vary depending on the location and severity of the compression, but common techniques include laminectomy, discectomy, and foraminotomy.
It's important to note that surgical decompression is a significant medical intervention that carries risks such as infection, bleeding, and injury to surrounding tissues. As with any surgery, it should be considered as a last resort after other conservative treatments have been tried and found to be ineffective. A thorough evaluation by a qualified medical professional is necessary to determine whether surgical decompression is appropriate in a given case.
Air pressure, also known as atmospheric pressure, is the force exerted by the weight of air in the atmosphere on a surface. It is measured in units such as pounds per square inch (psi), hectopascals (hPa), or inches of mercury (inHg). The standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is defined as 101,325 Pa (14.7 psi/1013 hPa/29.92 inHg). Changes in air pressure can be used to predict weather patterns and are an important factor in the study of aerodynamics and respiratory physiology.
Hyperbaric oxygenation is a medical treatment in which a patient breathes pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, typically at greater than one atmosphere absolute (ATA). This process results in increased levels of oxygen being dissolved in the blood and delivered to body tissues, thereby promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and combating infection. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to treat various medical conditions, including carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, gangrene, and wounds that are slow to heal due to diabetes or radiation injury.
Inert Gas Narcosis (IGN), also known as nitrogen narcosis or raptores narcosis, is a reversible alteration in consciousness, perception, and behavior that can occur in divers who breathe gas mixtures with high partial pressures of inert gases, such as nitrogen or helium, at depth. It is caused by the anesthetic effect of these gases on the central nervous system and is often described as feeling drunk or euphoric. The symptoms typically occur at depths greater than 30 meters (100 feet) and can include impaired judgment, memory, and coordination, which can increase the risk of accidents and injuries underwater. IGN is managed by ascending to shallower depths, where the partial pressure of the inert gas decreases, and by using gas mixtures with lower fractions of inert gases.
Barotrauma is a type of injury that occurs when there is a difference in pressure between the external environment and the internal body, leading to damage to body tissues. It commonly affects gas-filled spaces in the body, such as the lungs, middle ear, or sinuses.
In medical terms, barotrauma refers to the damage caused by changes in pressure that occur rapidly, such as during scuba diving, flying in an airplane, or receiving treatment in a hyperbaric chamber. These rapid changes in pressure can cause the gas-filled spaces in the body to expand or contract, leading to injury.
For example, during descent while scuba diving, the pressure outside the body increases, and if the diver does not equalize the pressure in their middle ear by swallowing or yawning, the increased pressure can cause the eardrum to rupture, resulting in barotrauma. Similarly, rapid ascent while flying can cause the air in the lungs to expand, leading to lung overexpansion injuries such as pneumothorax or arterial gas embolism.
Prevention of barotrauma involves equalizing pressure in the affected body spaces during changes in pressure and avoiding diving or flying with respiratory infections or other conditions that may increase the risk of injury. Treatment of barotrauma depends on the severity and location of the injury and may include pain management, antibiotics, surgery, or hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Methanobacteriaceae is a family of archaea within the order Methanobacteriales. These are obligate anaerobes that obtain energy for growth by reducing carbon dioxide to methane, a process called methanogenesis. They are commonly found in anaerobic environments such as wetlands, digestive tracts of animals, and sewage sludge. Some species are thermophilic, meaning they prefer higher temperatures, while others are mesophilic, growing best at moderate temperatures. Methanobacteriaceae are important contributors to the global carbon cycle and have potential applications in bioremediation and bioenergy production.
Atmospheric pressure, also known as barometric pressure, is the force per unit area exerted by the Earth's atmosphere on objects. It is measured in units of force per unit area, such as pascals (Pa), pounds per square inch (psi), or, more commonly, millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is defined as 101,325 Pa (14.7 psi) or 760 mmHg (29.92 inches of mercury). Atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude, as the weight of the air above becomes less. This decrease in pressure can affect various bodily functions, such as respiration and digestion, and may require adaptation for individuals living at high altitudes. Changes in atmospheric pressure can also be used to predict weather patterns, as low pressure systems are often associated with stormy or inclement weather.
Helium is not a medical term, but it's a chemical element with symbol He and atomic number 2. It's a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas that heads the noble gases section of the periodic table. In medicine, helium is sometimes used in medical settings for its unique properties, such as being less dense than air, which can help improve the delivery of oxygen to patients with respiratory conditions. For example, heliox, a mixture of helium and oxygen, may be used to reduce the work of breathing in patients with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. Additionally, helium is also used in cryogenic medical equipment and in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines to cool the superconducting magnets.
An Atmosphere Exposure Chamber (AEC) is a controlled environment chamber that is designed to expose materials, products, or devices to specific atmospheric conditions for the purpose of testing their durability, performance, and safety. These chambers can simulate various environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and contaminants, allowing researchers and manufacturers to evaluate how these factors may affect the properties and behavior of the materials being tested.
AECs are commonly used in a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medical devices, to ensure that products meet regulatory requirements and industry standards for performance and safety. For example, an AEC might be used to test the durability of a new aircraft material under extreme temperature and humidity conditions, or to evaluate the performance of a medical device in a contaminated environment.
The design and operation of AECs are subject to various regulations and standards, such as those established by organizations like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). These standards ensure that AECs are designed and operated in a consistent and controlled manner, allowing for accurate and reliable test results.
Motion sickness is a condition characterized by a disturbance in the balance and orientation senses, often triggered by conflicting information received from the eyes, inner ears, and other bodily sensory systems. It's typically brought on by motion such as that experienced during travel in cars, trains, boats, or airplanes, or even while using virtual reality devices. Symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweats.
The inner ear's vestibular system plays a key role in this condition. When the body is in motion but the inner ear remains still, or vice versa, it can cause the brain to receive conflicting signals about the body's state of motion, leading to feelings of disorientation and sickness.
Preventative measures for motion sickness include fixating on a stationary point outside the vehicle, avoiding reading or looking at electronic screens during travel, taking over-the-counter medications like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or scopolamine (Transderm Scop), and engaging in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing.
Brown-Sequard Syndrome is a type of incomplete spinal cord injury, which affects one side of the spinal cord. It is named after the French neurologist Charles-Édouard Brown-Séquard who first described it in 1850.
This syndrome occurs when there is damage to one half or side of the spinal cord, usually due to a traumatic injury such as a stab or gunshot wound, a fracture or dislocation of the spine, or a tumor. As a result, the transmission of nerve impulses is interrupted on the same side of the body where the injury occurred, leading to motor and sensory deficits below the level of the lesion.
The symptoms of Brown-Sequard Syndrome may include:
1. Loss of motor function (paralysis) on the same side of the body as the injury, below the level of the lesion.
2. Loss of pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side of the body as the injury, below the level of the lesion.
3. Preservation of touch, vibration, and proprioception (position sense) on the same side of the body as the injury, below the level of the lesion.
4. Autonomic dysfunction, such as changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and sweating, may also occur.
The treatment for Brown-Sequard Syndrome typically involves a combination of medications to manage pain and prevent complications, rehabilitation therapies to help regain function, and possibly surgery to repair the underlying injury or remove any compressive lesions. The prognosis for recovery varies depending on the severity and location of the injury, as well as the age and overall health of the individual.
In medical terms, gases refer to the state of matter that has no fixed shape or volume and expands to fill any container it is placed in. Gases in the body can be normal, such as the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen that are present in the lungs and blood, or abnormal, such as gas that accumulates in the digestive tract due to conditions like bloating or swallowing air.
Gases can also be used medically for therapeutic purposes, such as in the administration of anesthesia or in the treatment of certain respiratory conditions with oxygen therapy. Additionally, measuring the amount of gas in the body, such as through imaging studies like X-rays or CT scans, can help diagnose various medical conditions.
In medical terms, 'air' is defined as the mixture of gases that make up the Earth's atmosphere. It primarily consists of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and small amounts of other gases such as argon, carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of neon, helium, and methane.
Air is essential for human life, as it provides the oxygen that our bodies need to produce energy through respiration. We inhale air into our lungs, where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to cells throughout the body. At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism, is exhaled out of the body through the lungs and back into the atmosphere.
In addition to its role in respiration, air also plays a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate and weather patterns, as well as serving as a medium for sound waves and other forms of energy transfer.
Nitrogen is not typically referred to as a medical term, but it is an element that is crucial to medicine and human life.
In a medical context, nitrogen is often mentioned in relation to gas analysis, respiratory therapy, or medical gases. Nitrogen (N) is a colorless, odorless, and nonreactive gas that makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere. It is an essential element for various biological processes, such as the growth and maintenance of organisms, because it is a key component of amino acids, nucleic acids, and other organic compounds.
In some medical applications, nitrogen is used to displace oxygen in a mixture to create a controlled environment with reduced oxygen levels (hypoxic conditions) for therapeutic purposes, such as in certain types of hyperbaric chambers. Additionally, nitrogen gas is sometimes used in cryotherapy, where extremely low temperatures are applied to tissues to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.
However, it's important to note that breathing pure nitrogen can be dangerous, as it can lead to unconsciousness and even death due to lack of oxygen (asphyxiation) within minutes.
Altitude sickness, also known as mountain sickness or hypobaropathy, is a condition that can occur when you travel to high altitudes (usually above 8000 feet or 2400 meters) too quickly. At high altitudes, the air pressure is lower and there is less oxygen available for your body to use. This can lead to various symptoms such as:
1. Headache
2. Dizziness or lightheadedness
3. Shortness of breath
4. Rapid heart rate
5. Nausea or vomiting
6. Fatigue or weakness
7. Insomnia
8. Swelling of the hands, feet, and face
9. Confusion or difficulty with coordination
There are three types of altitude sickness: acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). AMS is the mildest form, while HAPE and HACE can be life-threatening.
Preventive measures include gradual ascent to allow your body time to adjust to the altitude, staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol and heavy meals, and taking it easy during the first few days at high altitudes. If symptoms persist or worsen, immediate medical attention is necessary.
Serum sickness is an immune-mediated hypersensitivity reaction that typically occurs within 1 to 3 weeks after the administration of foreign proteins or drugs, such as certain types of antibiotics, antiserums, or monoclonal antibodies. It is characterized by symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, and lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes). These symptoms are caused by the formation of immune complexes, which deposit in various tissues and activate the complement system, leading to inflammation. Serum sickness can be treated with antihistamines, corticosteroids, and other immunomodulatory agents. It is important to note that serum sickness is different from anaphylaxis, which is a more severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs immediately after exposure to an allergen.
"Sick leave" is not a medical term, but rather a term used in the context of employment and human resources. It refers to the time off from work that an employee is allowed to take due to illness or injury, for which they may still receive payment. The specific policies regarding sick leave, such as how much time is granted and whether it is paid or unpaid, can vary based on the employer's policies, labor laws, and collective bargaining agreements.
Oxygen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that constitutes about 21% of the earth's atmosphere. It is a crucial element for human and most living organisms as it is vital for respiration. Inhaled oxygen enters the lungs and binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, which carries it to tissues throughout the body where it is used to convert nutrients into energy and carbon dioxide, a waste product that is exhaled.
Medically, supplemental oxygen therapy may be provided to patients with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, heart failure, or other medical conditions that impair the body's ability to extract sufficient oxygen from the air. Oxygen can be administered through various devices, including nasal cannulas, face masks, and ventilators.
Decompression sickness
Inner ear decompression sickness
Decompression practice
Diving medicine
Decompression theory
History of decompression research and development
Thermodynamic model of decompression
Underwater diving
Glossary of underwater diving terminology: T-Z
Decompression (diving)
Uncontrolled decompression
Hyperbaric medicine
Albert R. Behnke
Bühlmann decompression algorithm
Surface-supplied diving skills
Half time (physics)
Decompression equipment
Altitude diving
Simon Mitchell
Physiology of decompression
Effects of high altitude on humans
Fitness to dive
Decompression (altitude)
Decompression illness
Non-freezing cold injury
Whale
Ice diving
Hypoesthesia
Toothed whale
Taravana
Decompression sickness - Wikipedia
Barotrauma | Decompression Sickness | MedlinePlus
Inner ear decompression sickness - Wikipedia
Decompression Sickness: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology
Decompression Sickness - Harvard Health
decompression sickness | Southern Fried Science
Using exercise to help prevent decompression sickness | Canadian Space Agency
Decompression Sickness - Injuries and Poisoning - Merck Manuals Consumer Version
DCI Avoidance, decompression sickness / DCS / decompression illness / DCI / diving and the bends, Midlands Recompression &...
Probabilistic pharmacokinetic models of decompression sickness in humans, part 1: Coupled perfusion-limited compartments.
Decompression Sickness Medication
decompression sickness
AGROVOC: AGROVOC: decompression sickness
Decompression sickness - Flying School
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Overview, Hyperbaric Physics and Physiology, Contraindications
Decompression Sickness ("The Bends") - underpressurehbot.ca
Scuba Diving: Decompression Illness & Other Dive-Related Injuries | CDC Yellow Book 2024
Decompression Sickness - Injuries; Poisoning - MSD Manual Professional Edition
ATPL: Symptoms of decompression sickness | Human | 43
Ingrid Eftedal - NTNU
Subjects: Decompression Sickness - Digital Collections - National Library of Medicine Search Results
physiology - How do diving marine mammals avoid decompression sickness? - Biology Stack Exchange
Joan Whetzel on HubPages
Decompression Illness - Divers Alert Network
Acclimatization to neurological decompression sickness in rabbits<...
History of Scuba Diving timeline | Timetoast timelines
Gut fermentation seems to promote decompression sickness in humans - HAL-SDE - Sciences de l'environnement
Quiz: Fit Notes, Long-term Sickness, and Work Capability
Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) | ZSL
Bends11
- also called divers' disease, the bends, aerobullosis, and caisson disease) is a medical condition caused by dissolved gases emerging from solution as bubbles inside the body tissues during decompression. (wikipedia.org)
- Decompression sickness, also called generalized barotrauma or the bends, refers to injuries caused by a rapid decrease in the pressure that surrounds you, of either air or water. (harvard.edu)
- Decompression sickness (also known as divers' disease, the bends, aerobullosis, or caisson disease) describes a condition arising from dissolved gases coming out of solution into bubbles inside the body on depressurisation. (fao.org)
- Decompression sickness (DCS) or "the bends" occurs when injuries are caused by a rapid decrease in atmospheric pressure of water or air. (underpressurehbot.ca)
- The bends refers to local joint or muscle pain due to decompression sickness but is often used as a synonym for any component of the disorder. (msdmanuals.com)
- How do marine mammals, whose very survival depends on regular diving, manage to avoid decompression sickness or "the bends? (stackexchange.com)
- DCS (also called the bends or caisson disease) results from inadequate decompression following exposure to increased pressure. (dan.org)
- Robert Boyle investigated decompression sickness or 'the bends' using a snake. (timetoast.com)
- The ULP-CSIP team found that these deep-diving beaked whales could suffer a condition very similar to decompression sickness, or 'the bends', in human divers. (zsl.org)
- Oddly enough, scientists have found that stranded whales have nitrogen bubbles in their tissues, which is a telltale sign of compression sickness, otherwise known as "the bends. (truthout.org)
- Inside the man locks, air pressure was gradually adjusted to allow the workers to safely enter or leave the excavation without experiencing decompression sickness, or the bends,caused by the release of nitrogen bubbles into the blood and tissues if decompression occurs too rapidly. (cdc.gov)
Illness17
- DCS and arterial gas embolism are collectively referred to as decompression illness. (wikipedia.org)
- The term dysbarism encompasses decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism, and barotrauma, whereas decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism are commonly classified together as decompression illness when a precise diagnosis cannot be made. (wikipedia.org)
- Someone with an abnormal hole or opening in the heart from a birth defect is at especially high risk of developing serious symptoms from decompression illness. (harvard.edu)
- Repetitive diving will increase the chances of decompression illness, so it is important to allow enough time between each dive for nitrogen to off-load. (midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk)
- As fatty tissue absorbs more nitrogen than muscle and at a rate 5 times that of muscle tissue, obesity is a pre-disposing factor to decompression illness. (midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk)
- This will not only help them avoid decompression illness but also enable them to enjoy the highly physical sport of scuba diving more. (midlandsdivingchamber.co.uk)
- The term decompression illness refers to either decompression sickness or arterial gas embolism. (msdmanuals.com)
- Decompression illness. (msdmanuals.com)
- Decompression illness, or DCI, is associated with a reduction in the ambient pressure surrounding the body. (dan.org)
- Who Gets Decompression Illness? (dan.org)
- Decompression illness affects scuba divers, aviators, astronauts and compressed-air workers. (dan.org)
- Evaluation of a diver for possible decompression illness is done on a case-by-case basis. (dan.org)
- Right-to-left shunts are also associated with stroke and certain forms of decompression illness. (nih.gov)
- 37 of 40 consecutive patients who had had a closure procedure (to permit resumption of diving after decompression illness in 29, after stroke when paradoxical thromboembolism was suspected in four, or to close a large atrial septal defect in four) could be contacted. (nih.gov)
- As a passionate scuba diver, my motivation was to master treatment for air embolism and decompression illness. (medscape.com)
- Yet even operating in locations above 4,000 feet above sea level can cause acute mountain sickness, the most common and mild form of altitude illness, and decreased performance. (health.mil)
- Most severe cases of decompression illness (DCI) are caused by vascular bubbles. (who.int)
Cause decompression sickness3
- It is these nitrogen bubbles that cause decompression sickness. (harvard.edu)
- Because excess nitrogen remains dissolved in the body tissues for at least 12 hours after each dive, repeated dives within 1 day are more likely to cause decompression sickness than a single dive. (merckmanuals.com)
- This, in all likelihood, will cause decompression sickness and diagnosing DSC is very important. (divinglore.com)
Barotrauma2
- This article is overview of the various types of barotrauma, such as decompression sickness, altitude sickness, medically induced barotrauma, primary blast injury, and self-inflicted barotrauma. (medscape.com)
- The three major manifestations of barotrauma include (1) sinus or middle ear effects, (2) decompression sickness (DCS), and (3) arterial gas emboli. (medscape.com)
Bubbles7
- Inner ear decompression sickness , (IEDCS) or audiovestibular decompression sickness is a medical condition of the inner ear caused by the formation of gas bubbles in the tissues or blood vessels of the inner ear. (wikipedia.org)
- Decompression sickness is a disorder in which nitrogen dissolved in the blood and tissues by high pressure forms bubbles as pressure decreases. (merckmanuals.com)
- Decompression sickness (DCS) is a disease caused by gas bubbles forming in body tissues following a reduction in ambient pressure, such as occurs in scuba diving. (duke.edu)
- Rapid decompression can causes gases dissolved in body fluids and tissues to come out of solution and form bubbles. (sbir.gov)
- DCS is related to intravascular or extravascular bubbles formed during reduction of environmental pressure (decompression). (cdc.gov)
- The bubble model was set to optimize a 174-minute decompression with the lowest possible risk, developing stops that would control bubbles in a way consistent with its model parameters. (gue.com)
- We showed that there are active hydrophobic spots (AHS) on the luminal aspect of ovine blood vessels where bubbles are produced after decompression. (who.int)
Symptoms of decompression sickness1
- [10] [11] It is not unusual for other symptoms of decompression sickness to be present simultaneously, which can make diagnosis easier, but sometimes only vestibular symptoms manifest. (wikipedia.org)
Hyperbaric chamber2
- Decompression sickness occurs when rapid pressure reduction (eg, during ascent from a dive, exit from a caisson or hyperbaric chamber, or ascent to altitude) causes gas previously dissolved in blood or tissues to form bubbles in blood vessels. (msdmanuals.com)
- Nine swine (Sus scrofa) underwent a 15-h saturation dive at 184 kPa (60 ft. of saltwater) in a hyperbaric chamber followed by dropout decompression, whereas six swine, used as a control, underwent a 15-h saturation dive at 15 kPa (5 ft. of saltwater). (usuhs.edu)
High altitude3
- DCS most commonly occurs during or soon after a decompression ascent from underwater diving, but can also result from other causes of depressurisation, such as emerging from a caisson, decompression from saturation, flying in an unpressurised aircraft at high altitude, and extravehicular activity from spacecraft. (wikipedia.org)
- Neurologic decompression sickness following cabin pressure fluctuations at high altitude. (medscape.com)
- Decompression sickness (DCS) can occur during rapid pressure changes such as when a diver ascends rapidly or during high altitude flights. (sbir.gov)
Ascent4
- Its potential severity has driven much research to prevent it, and divers almost universally use decompression schedules or dive computers to limit their exposure and to monitor their ascent speed. (wikipedia.org)
- Decompression sickness caused by a decompression from saturation can occur in decompression or upward excursions from saturation diving, ascent to high altitudes, and extravehicular activities in space. (wikipedia.org)
- [ 1 ] this article focuses on decompression associated with the sudden decrease in pressures during underwater ascent, usually occurring during free or assisted dives. (medscape.com)
- [ 2 ] However, as a testament to physical limitations, in 2012, when he tried to break his own record by diving to 819 ft (250 m), he suffered a narcosis blackout on ascent, causing a violation of his safety and decompression plan. (medscape.com)
Dive1
- The most commonly used decompression models do not appear to accurately model IEDCS, and therefore dive computers based on those models alone are not particularly effective at predicting it, or avoiding it. (wikipedia.org)
Diver1
- These aspects have aroused some disagreement in the technical community who argue the total time and associated "deep stops" are longer than reasonable and a far departure from what any tech diver might consider for decompression. (gue.com)
Avoid decompression1
- How do diving marine mammals avoid decompression sickness? (stackexchange.com)
Divers7
- Divers can also get decompression sickness, which affects the whole body. (medlineplus.gov)
- Decompression sickness occurs in about 2 to 4/10,000 dives among recreational divers. (msdmanuals.com)
- Methods to predict onset of cardiopulmonary (CP) decompression sickness (DCS) would be of great benefit to clinicians caring for stricken divers. (usuhs.edu)
- The probabilities of decompression sickness (DCS) among diving fishermen are higher than in any other group of divers. (bvsalud.org)
- Decompression sickness in scuba divers. (clevelandclinic.org)
- In this case, the NEDU study dived US Navy divers without thermal protection on air to a depth of 170 feet/52meters where they conducted work for 30 minutes before ascending over a 144 minute decompression. (gue.com)
- Inner-ear decompression sickness (DCS) is an incompletely understood and increasingly recognized condition in compressed-air divers. (who.int)
Arterial gas3
- HBOT is instrumental in treating decompression sickness, arterial gas embolisms, and acute carbon monoxide poisoning. (medscape.com)
- Decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism. (msdmanuals.com)
- DCI encompasses two diseases, decompression sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE) . (dan.org)
Altitude1
- Decompression sickness can also develop if pressure decreases below atmospheric pressure (eg, by exposure to altitude). (msdmanuals.com)
Injuries2
- In England, 19% of long-term sickness absence is attributed to mental ill health according to NICE, who also highlight that stress and acute conditions are responsible for many long-term absences, as are musculoskeletal injuries and back pain. (medscape.com)
- With recent increases in commercial, military, and sport diving to deeper depths, inner ear injuries during such exposures have been encountered more frequently and noted during several phases of diving: during compression, at stable deep depths, with excessive noise exposure in diving, and during decompression. (who.int)
Severe3
- The regulatory approval for a number of indications such as pulmonary embolism, severe anemia, decompression sickness, burns and brain abscesses to name a few out of the thirteen approved indications, is one of the major factors that is expected to escalate the growth of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy device market over the analysis period. (pharmiweb.com)
- G3A1 Air Interim Decompression back-up Tables for G-3A pdf icon - Serves as a backup for Table G3A where environmental or individual conditions warrant, based on the most severe conditions which might be anticipated and under which such conditions should produce a decompression sickness incidence that is significantly improved over current practice . (cdc.gov)
- Frequent or severe suffering from motion sickness (seasick, carsick, etc. (gue.com)
Acute1
- Divins acclimatization refers to a reduced susceptibility to acute decompression sickness (DCS) in individuals undergoing repeated compression-decompression cycles. (tmu.edu.tw)
Oxygen5
- Emergency treatment for decompression sickness involves maintaining blood pressure and administering high-flow oxygen. (harvard.edu)
- However, one of the pharmacokinetic models we consider, the CS2T3 model, is a better predictor of DCS risk for single air bounce dives and oxygen decompression dives. (duke.edu)
- G3B1 Oxygen Interim Decompression Tables pdf icon - Note that these should not be used unless the contractor is willing to obtain special training for the personnel involved and properly maintain the required oxygen equipment . (cdc.gov)
- Thirteen of these cases occurred in helium-oxygen dives involving a change to air during the latter stages of decompression. (who.int)
- For example, The US Navy Treatment Table for decompression sickness recommends 100% oxygen at 2.8 ATA. (medscape.com)
Diving5
- IEDCS is often associated with relatively deep diving , relatively long periods of decompression obligation , and breathing gas switches involving changes in inert gas type and concentration. (wikipedia.org)
- Your diving history and symptoms are key factors in diagnosing decompression sickness. (harvard.edu)
- Flying within 12 to 24 hours after diving (such as at the end of a vacation) exposes people to an even lower atmospheric pressure, making decompression sickness slightly more likely. (merckmanuals.com)
- Decompression sickness among diving fishermen in Mexico: observational retrospective analysis of DCS in three sea cucumber fishing seasons. (bvsalud.org)
- Candidates should also be familiar with the latest revision of the US Navy Diving Manual, Volume 3, Section 13 Saturation Diving together with the use of Saturation Decompression Tables and Emergency Decompression. (imca-int.com)
Inert gas2
- Decompression risk is controlled by the tissue compartment with the highest inert gas concentration, which for decompression from saturation is the slowest tissue to outgas. (wikipedia.org)
- Generally referred to as a form of decompression sickness , it can also occur at constant pressure due to inert gas counterdiffusion effects. (wikipedia.org)
Astronauts2
- This project involves designing and testing more efficient protocols to prevent decompression sickness in astronauts performing spacewalks, also known as extravehicular activities ( EVA ), from the International Space Station ( ISS ). (gc.ca)
- Astronauts performing EVA from the space shuttle must undergo a 12-hour decompression protocol to minimize their risk of developing decompression sickness ( DCS ). (gc.ca)
Risk5
- The risk of DCS can be managed through proper decompression procedures, and contracting the condition has become uncommon. (wikipedia.org)
- Work is ongoing to develop more efficient protocols to reduce the risk of decompression sickness for future EVA . (gc.ca)
- Ascending slowly would also reduce your risk of decompression sickness. (divinglore.com)
- It increases your risk of developing Decompression Sickness (DCS). (divinglore.com)
- Operators can quickly haul the Exosuit up from hundreds of feet below the surface without the risk of decompression sickness. (yahoo.com)
Pressure3
- Decompression sickness can occur after an exposure to increased pressure while breathing a gas with a metabolically inert component, then decompressing too fast for it to be harmlessly eliminated through respiration, of by decompression by an upward excursion from a condition of saturation by the inert breathing gas components, or by a combination of these routes. (wikipedia.org)
- In addition, the sudden or too rapid decrease in pressure (ie, decompression) can have a number of ill effects. (medscape.com)
- The author recommends revision of OSHA decompression schedules since they possibly cause aseptic necrosis when used in the upper pressure ranges. (cdc.gov)
Exposure1
- Following exposure to 1013 kPa for 20.4 h, we started photographing the blood vessels 15 min after the end of decompression for a period of 30 min, to determine AHS by observing bubble formation. (who.int)
Affects2
- Type I decompression sickness tends to be mild and affects primarily the joints, skin, and lymphatic vessels. (merckmanuals.com)
- Type II decompression sickness, which may be life threatening, often affects vital organ systems, including the brain and spinal cord, the respiratory system, and the circulatory system. (merckmanuals.com)
Rapid1
- In summary, our results show that the occurrence of DCS in rabbits after rapid decompression is associated with increased expression of a stress protein, indicating that the stress response is induced by DCS. (tmu.edu.tw)
Humans1
- Scholars@Duke publication: Probabilistic pharmacokinetic models of decompression sickness in humans, part 1: Coupled perfusion-limited compartments. (duke.edu)
Complications1
- The main complications relate to 1) the amount of decompression time, 2) the unusual decompression stop arrangement, 3) the breathing gases used, and 4) the temperature of the water. (gue.com)
HBOT1
- Fortunately, HBOT continues to be the most effective treatment for decompression sickness. (underpressurehbot.ca)
Pulmonary1
- Pulmonary decompression sickness? (gc.ca)
Body1
- What happens inside your body during decompression sickness is similar to what happens when you open a carbonated drink. (harvard.edu)
Uncommon1
- IEDCS is a relatively uncommon manifestation of decompression sickness, occurring in about 5 to 6% of cases. (wikipedia.org)
Slowly1
- Moving up slowly will not only prevent uneasiness from Decompression Sickness but also give you sufficient time to communicate in case you see an obstruction. (divinglore.com)
Treatment1
- The treatment of decompression sickness. (nih.gov)
Vertigo1
- In this report, 23 cases of hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or vertigo occurring during or shortly after decompression are presented. (who.int)
Sudden1
- We observed a significant increase in the sympathetic and parasympathetic tones using the PDM method on average 20 min before DCS onset following a sudden induction of decompression. (usuhs.edu)