Ear barotrauma
Barotrauma is physical damage to body caused by a difference in pressure between a gas space inside, or in contact with, the body and the surrounding gas or liquid. The initial damage is usually due to over-stretching the tissues in tension or shear, either directly by an expansion of the gas in the closed space or by pressure difference hydrostatically transmitted through the . Tissue rupture may be complicated by the introduction of gas into the local tissue or circulation through the initial site, which can cause blockage of circulation at distant sites or interfere with the normal function of an organ by its presence. The term is usually applied when the gas volume involved already exists prior to decompression. Barotrauma can occur during both compression and decompression events.
Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.
Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·Dependent on location
Causes — why it happens
- ·Pressure difference between the environment and a gas-filled space in or in contact with the affected
Complications
- · gas embolism, pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema