Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Middle ear problems due to changing atmospheric pressures, as when a plane descends to land. The problems include ear pain, ringing, diminished hearing and, sometimes, dizziness. Also known as aerotitis: aerotitis media, barotitis, barotitis media.

Trauma caused by rapid or extreme changes in air pressure, especially affecting enclosed cavities within the body such as the middle ear (otic barotrauma), the sinuses (sinus barotrauma), and the lungs (pulmonary barotrauma). Middle ear problems due to changing atmospheric pressures, as when a plane descends to land. The problems include ear pain, ringing, diminished hearing and, sometimes, dizziness. Also known as aerotitis: aerotitis…

Middle ear problems due to changing atmospheric pressures, as when a plane descends to land. The problems include ear pain, ringing, diminished hearing and, sometimes, dizziness. The word barotitis (pronounced bar-o-tit-is) is compounded from bar- as in barometer + otitis meaning inflammation of the ear. Alternate terms include aerotitis, aerotitis media, barotitis media, and otic barotrauma.

Sinus troubles, particularly with pain, due to changing atmospheric pressures, as when going up or down in a plane. Also called aerosinusitis or sinus barotrauma.

Reversible paralysis of the facial nerve due to pressure in the middle ear going up in a plane or surfacing in scuba diving. It is caused by an impaired Eustachian tube that causes overpressure to the middle ear, possibly combined with a defect in the wall of the facial canal. The excessive pressure in the middle ear…

Barlow syndrome is mitral valve prolapse (also known as “click murmur syndrome”), the most common heart valve abnormality, affecting 5-10% of the world population. Most patients have no symptoms and require no treatment. However, the condition can be associated with fatigue and/or palpitations. The mitral valve prolapse can often be detected by a doctor during examination of the heart and can be confirmed with…

American biochemist who, among other things, discovered the biologically active forms of vitamin B12. Horace Albert Barker, informally called “Nook,” was educated at Stanford University and earned a PhD in chemistry in 1933. His research interest then turned to soil microbiology and microbial biochemistry. He set out on a two-year postdoctoral fellowship to study first with…

A test that involves filling the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines with a barium solution in preparation for an X-ray, to define the anatomy of the upper digestive tract. Also known as upper gastrointestinal series.

A liquid that contains barium sulfate, which is visble on X-ray images. Barium solution outlines organs of the body so they can be seen as images on X-ray examination.

Short for lower gastrointestinal series. A series of x-rays of the rectum, colon and lower section of the small intestine taken after the patient has a barium enema. Barium is a white, chalky substance that coats the organs so they will show up on the x-ray. Also called a barium enema or a barium enema x-ray.