Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Painful sinus troubles due to changing atmospheric pressures. Aerosinusitis is the cause of sinus pain when going up or down in a plane. Also known as barosinusitis and sinus barotrauma.

An abnormal and persistent fear of flying. Sufferers experience severe anxiety even though they usually realize that the flying does not pose a threat commensurate with their fear. Aerophobia also means an irrational fear of fresh air or drafts of air. Derived from the Greek “aero-“, air or gas + “phobos”, fear = literally, fear of air.

Swallowing too much air, a common cause of gas in the stomach and belching. Everyone swallows small amounts of air when eating or drinking. However, rapid eating or drinking, chewing gum, smoking, or ill-fitting dentures may cause a significant increase in swallowed air. The word “phage” in Greek means “to eat.” Aerophagia is literally to eat air.

A type of bacteria commonly found in freshwater or brackish water and in some fish and shellfish. It may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting in some individuals if swallowed. It is more likely to cause intestinal symptoms in people with a suppressed immune system, such as people with cancer or those who are receiving immune-suppressing medications. The bacteria may also…

Brisk exercise that promotes the circulation of oxygen through the blood and is associated with an increased rate of breathing. Examples include running, swimming, and bicycling.

Oxygen-requiring. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen to grow. Aerobic exercise requires the heart and lungs to work harder to meet the body’s increased oxygen demand.

Prefix indicating air or gas, such as aerogastria (excess stomach gas).

Automated external defibrillator: A device that automatically analyzes the heart rhythm and that’if it detects a problem that may respond to an electrical shock’delivers a shock to restore a normal heart rhythm. Thanks to their small size and ease of use, AEDs have been installed in many settings (such as schools and airports), and serve a role in expanding the…