Hyperbaric Physiology

Hyperbaric physiology studies how our body responds to increased pressure, often experienced during deep-sea diving or in hyperbaric chambers. Under higher pressures, gases, like oxygen, dissolve more readily in body fluids. This enhanced oxygen delivery can help treat conditions like decompression sickness and certain infections. However, it also poses risks, such as oxygen toxicity or barotrauma, which can injure lungs and other tissues. Understanding these effects is crucial for safely managing both therapeutic and accidental exposure to high-pressure environments in undersea and hyperbaric medicine.