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GLOSSARY Aeroembolism Obsolete term for altitude decompression sickness; also used to mean gas embolism. Aerobic Requiring air or free oxygen in order to live. Air 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% carbon dioxide and all other gases. Ambient Pertaining to the surrounding environment. Anaerobic The ability to grow or thrive in the absence of molecular oxygen. Angiogenesis The development of blood vessels. Angiogenesis is a major benefit of HBO therapy. Ascent Movement in the direction of reduced pressure, whether simulated or due to actual elevation in water or air. Atmospheres absolute The sum of barometric and hydrostatic pressures. This is the most commonly used measurement when dealing with HBO therapy. The abbreviation is ATA. Atmospheric pressure The amount of pressure exerted by the weight of the air in our every day environment. At sea level the pressure of the atmosphere is 14.7 pounds per square inch. Baromedicine The area of medicine related to physiological processes that occur either from pressure changes or changes in the concentration of inhaled gases. Barotrauma The mechanical damage to the tissues caused by unequal pressures. Bends An imprecise term denoting any form of Caisson disease or decompression sickness. It is sometimes a fatal disorder that is marked by neuralgic pains (severe pain along a nerve) and paralysis, and dyspnea (difficult breathing); that is caused by the release of gas bubbles in tissue upon too rapid decrease in pressure after a stay in a compressed environment. Bottom time The amount of time from getting in the water at the start of a dive until the beginning of the ascent. Chamber A vessel designed to withstand differential pressures.
HyperbaricA chamber designed to withstand high internal pressures; used in hyperbaric experimentation, diving simulations, and medical treatment. MonoplaceA portable one-person hyperbaric chamber used for therapy in a hospital or clinical setting, and for transport. MultiplaceA pressure chamber designed to be used by more than one person at a time. Single-lockA pressure chamber with only one pressurizable compartment. Decompression In diving, that phase in which the individual is ascending in the water, or in a chamber when the pressure is being lowered. Embolism Air or gas bubbles in the arterial (artery: a vessel conveying blood from the heart) system caused by gas or air passing into the pulmonary (lung) veins after rupture of the alveoli (air cells of the lung). HBO Common abbreviation for hyperbaric oxygen. HBO is the use of increased oxygen concentrations under greater than normal atmospheric pressure. Hydrostatic Relating to the pressure that liquids exert. Hyperbaric oxygenation Also known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The use of an oxygen breathing mixture where the ambient pressure is greater than 1 atmosphere. This is abbreviated as HBO or HBO2. Hyperbaric Pertaining to pressure greater than one atmosphere. Hyperbaric pressure Pressures greater than atmospheric pressure. Hyperoxia An excess of oxygen in the body tissues produced by breathing a mixture in which the inspired (inhaled) oxygen pressure is greater than its partial pressure in air. Hypoxia Oxygen deficiency. Ischemia Local reduction of blood supply due to obstruction of inflow of arterial blood. Microaerophilic Requiring free oxygen for growth, but thriving best when the oxygen is less than the amounts in the atmosphere. Monoplace chamber A HBO chamber designed to hold one person, usually at a maximum pressure of 3 ATA. Multiplace chamber A HBO chamber designed to hold two or more persons, usually with pressures of up to 6 ATA. Osteomyelitis Inflammation of the marrow of the bone. Osteonecrosis The process of bone cells dying in mass.
Juxta-articularOsteonecrosis occurring near the joint articulation, usually hip or shoulder. May lead to collapse of the joint, together with pain and dysfunction. MedullaryOsteonecrosis occurring in the shaft of the bone, usually symptomless and detected by x-ray. Oxygen poisoning Deleterious (harmful) effects caused by breathing high partial pressures of oxygen. Prolonged exposure can result in effects which become progressively more severe as the inspired partial pressure and/or the duration of exposure increases. Depending on level and length of exposure, may cause lung damage, involvement of the central nervous system causing convulsions, or early death. Oxygen toxicity Physical impairment that results from breathing pure oxygen for prolonged periods of time; the time to achieve toxicity is shortened as the pressure in the surrounding environment increases. Pressure
AmbientThe absolute pressure surrounding an object. AtmosphericPressure exerted by the earth's atmosphere, which varies with altitude above sea level. At sea level atmospheric pressure is equal to 760 mmHg or 1.03 kg/square centimeter, or 14.7 pounds per square inch. HydrostaticThe pressure of a column of water acting upon a body immersed in the water, equal in all directions at a specific depth. Treatment depth The depth or pressure to which a patient is compressed for treatment. Source: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Committee Report. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. 1996 Revision. Telephone: Email: Chico Hyperbaric Center Web Site Developed & Hosted by Access Now 2000. Copyright © 1999-2001. All Rights Reserved. # |
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