Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy of Arizona

Glossary of Terms about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Actinomycosis	An uncommon anaerobic bacterial infection. It is characterized by lumpy tumors of the mouth, neck, chest, and abdomen.
Activated Carbon	A water treatment medium, found in block, granulated, or powdered form, which is produced by heating carbonaceous substances (bituminous coal or cellulose-based substances like wood or coconut shell) in the absence of air, creating a highly porous adsorbent material. Activated carbon is commonly used for dechlorination and for reducing organic chemicals and radon.
Activated Carbon Block	Activated carbon block is a blend of fine activated carbon (e.g., 80 x 325 mesh activated carbon), water, and a suitable binder (such as polyethylene or a similar material) that is mixed and molded and hardened or extruded to a cartridge filter of any size and shape. Sometimes specialized media are added along with activated carbon to provide customized performances for specific contaminants. The binder is particularly designed and chosen to hold the carbon and other media in a fixed solid matrix, and designed not to plug the pores of the activated carbon. Even though the binder does occlude a portion of the adsorption sites, the finer mesh size gives activated carbon block filters faster adsorption kinetics and generally two to four times greater adsorption capacity than equivalent volumes of loose granular activated carbon. Activated carbon block filters typcially have a 0.5 to 1.0 micron filtration capability, making it also helpful for particulate filtration, insoluble lead reduction, and demonstrating - in some cases - removal of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum.
Aeration	The process whereby water is brought into intimate contact with air by spraying or cascading, or air is brought into intimate contact with water by an air aspirator or by bubbling compressed air through the body of water. Both pressure (closed) aerators and open (gravity) aerators are used. Closed aeration is used chiefly for oxidation; open aeration for degassing.
Aerobic	Oxygen-dependent or requiring oxygen.
Aerobic Respiration	Organisms utilize oxygen to break down components, derive energy, and generate needed biomolecules. Carbohydrates are cycled into water and carbon dioxide.
AIDS	Severe immunological disorder caused by HIV, transmitted primarily through venereal routes or by exposure to contaminated blood products, resulting in a defect in cell-mediated immune response manifested by increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and to certain rare cancers.
Air Embolism	Air bubbles that enter the veins after trauma or surgical procedure.
Air Pollution	The contamination of the atmosphere by any toxic or radioactive gases and particulate matter as a result of human activity.
Air Quality Assessment	A prescribed level of atmospheric pollution allowed for a certain compound during a specific time in a specific geographical area. Standards are set by some regulating body, office or agency.
Altitude Sickness	A collection of symptoms, including shortness of breath, headache, nausea, and nosebleed, brought on by decreased oxygen in the atmosphere, such as the encountered at high altitudes.
Anaerobic Respiration	Living or acting in the absence of oxygen. Cellular respiration in the absence of oxygen.
Alzheimer's Disease	A degenerative disease of the brain, characterized by clumps of neurofibrils and microscopic lesions in the brain and by confusion, disorientation, memory failure, and speech disturbances, and resulting in progressive loss of mental capacity.
Atmosphere	The sum total of all the gases surrounding the Earth, extending several hundred kilometers above the surface in a mechanical mixture of various gases in fluid-like motion. The permanent constituents are molecular nitrogen; 78.1%, molecular oxygen; 20.9%, argon; 0.934%, and approximately 0.036% carbon dioxide. Various other components exist in trace amounts.

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY OF ARIZONA L.L.C., 12802 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85022(602) 996-8327 Fax: (602) 996-3348. If you have a patient that needs hyperbaric services, or want more information, please contact us.