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Cabin Pressurization Pressurization (maybe) When a jet plane reaches hgh altitudes, it becomes necessary for the flight crew to pressurize the plane. This is because, as the plane gains altitude, the atmospheric pressure around it decreases, and the amount of oxygen around the plane becomes less. The maximum height of a plane includes considerations for cabin pressure. Without Cabin Pressurization A lack of sufficient oxygen will bring on mainly hypoxia; reducing the alveolar oxygen tension. One of the potential dangers during a rapid decompression is also the expansion of trapped gases within the gastrointestinal tract. Decompression of air is likely that individuals will develop pain in the middle ear and Para nasal sinuses during descent. Whenever a rapid decompression is faster than the inherent capability of the lungs to decompress, a transient positive pressure will temporarily build up in the lungs. When temperatures drop because of a decompression, injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia will begin to appear. Symptoms of such effects may begin as low as 5000 feet. Passengers may also get fatigue or headache as the plane flies higher which causes unconsciousness. Within the pressurized cabin the passengers aboard are not subjected to the tremendous noises of the engines and cold temperatures in high altitudes. Accidents may occur such as the tearing apart of the plane due to the tearing of the metallic skin of the plane which sometimes cannot stand the stress of pressurization. Effects of cabin pressurization on the human body - Ear and Sinuses - One needs to adjust to the pressurized cabin air from the beginning. 1 in 3 passengers suffer ear discomfort, pain and temporary hearing loss on takeoff or landing, called "aerotitus" by the House Ear Institute in LA. Rapid changes in air pressure cause the air pocket inside the ear to expand during takeoff and contract during descent, stretching the eardrum. To equalize pressure, air must enter or escape through the Eustachian tube. "If a passenger has serious congestion, they risk ear drum damage," says Sigfrid Soli, Ph.D., Head of the HCSD Department at the HSI.
- Tooth - Anyone with intestinal gas or gas trapped in an infected tooth may also experience Barodontalgia, a toothache provoked by exposure to changing atmospheric pressure.
Noted incidents - Golfer Payne Stewart died in an aircraft accident as a result of loss of cabin pressure.
See also References Portions from the United States Naval Flight Surgeon's Manual
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