Lost Yooper
Guest
Howdy,
I have recently posted this topic on another board and thought I'd get some input from some of you docs here. I'm pretty sure I know the answers to most of my own questions, but I thought it might make a nice discussion.
I've had these questions for a few years, but haven't gotten around to asking them. As I understand it, high PPN2 (resulting from deep air diving) does something to red blood cells (RBC's) that causes them to become more rigid. This rigidity makes their passage through micro vessels difficult. As a result, this difficulty causes the body to release some chemical (nitric oxide??) that, in turn, causes an immune response. By introducing helium, and thereby lowering the PPN2, this effect is reduced.
OK here's my questions:
Is this more or less right?
What is it about the high PPN2 that causes the rigidity in RBC's?
Is the released chemical related to, or directly involved, in the lesions that are formed on the spine and brain and picked up by MRI's as the result of deep air diving? How do these lesions occur?
It makes sense that nitrogen bubbles would cause the same reaction, but how big do the bubbles have to be to cause it -- are we talking micro bubbles here?
At what PPN2 does the rigidity of RBC's become too much? Is it time related or rather instantaneous?
Is the immune response (flu like symptoms) the sub DCI that is felt after deep air dives?
There, that's enough for now.
Thanks again.
Mike
Ok docs, what say you.
I have recently posted this topic on another board and thought I'd get some input from some of you docs here. I'm pretty sure I know the answers to most of my own questions, but I thought it might make a nice discussion.
I've had these questions for a few years, but haven't gotten around to asking them. As I understand it, high PPN2 (resulting from deep air diving) does something to red blood cells (RBC's) that causes them to become more rigid. This rigidity makes their passage through micro vessels difficult. As a result, this difficulty causes the body to release some chemical (nitric oxide??) that, in turn, causes an immune response. By introducing helium, and thereby lowering the PPN2, this effect is reduced.
OK here's my questions:
Is this more or less right?
What is it about the high PPN2 that causes the rigidity in RBC's?
Is the released chemical related to, or directly involved, in the lesions that are formed on the spine and brain and picked up by MRI's as the result of deep air diving? How do these lesions occur?
It makes sense that nitrogen bubbles would cause the same reaction, but how big do the bubbles have to be to cause it -- are we talking micro bubbles here?
At what PPN2 does the rigidity of RBC's become too much? Is it time related or rather instantaneous?
Is the immune response (flu like symptoms) the sub DCI that is felt after deep air dives?
There, that's enough for now.
Thanks again.
Mike
Ok docs, what say you.