Isobaric counterdiffusion
(Redirected from Inert gas counterdiffusion)
Isobaric counterdiffusion (ICD) is a phenomenon that occurs in diving and space travel, where different gases diffuse in opposite directions during changes in ambient pressure. This can lead to the formation of gas bubbles in the body, which can cause serious health problems such as decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Isobaric counterdiffusion involves two different types of gas diffusion: super-saturation and gas counterdiffusion. Super-saturation occurs when the body's tissues are saturated with a certain gas, and the pressure of that gas in the body is greater than the pressure of the gas in the surrounding environment. Gas counterdiffusion occurs when two different gases diffuse in opposite directions in the body.
Mechanism[edit | edit source]
The mechanism of isobaric counterdiffusion involves the diffusion of gases in the body during changes in ambient pressure. When a diver ascends or descends, the pressure of the gases in the diver's body changes. If the diver is breathing a gas mixture that contains a high concentration of a certain gas, that gas will diffuse into the body's tissues. If the diver then switches to a gas mixture that contains a lower concentration of that gas, the gas will diffuse out of the tissues and into the bloodstream. This can lead to the formation of gas bubbles in the body.
Health Risks[edit | edit source]
The health risks associated with isobaric counterdiffusion include decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism. Decompression sickness, also known as the bends, occurs when gas bubbles form in the body's tissues and cause pain, paralysis, or death. Arterial gas embolism occurs when gas bubbles enter the bloodstream and block blood flow to vital organs.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Prevention of isobaric counterdiffusion involves careful planning of diving and space travel activities. Divers and astronauts should avoid rapid changes in ambient pressure and should breathe gas mixtures that are appropriate for their depth or altitude. They should also undergo decompression stops to allow gases to diffuse out of their bodies slowly.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Isobaric counterdiffusion Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
