T70: Effects of air pressure and water pressure

The category T70 in the ICD-10 WHO 2016 classification pertains to the effects of air pressure and water pressure on the human body. These conditions are often observed in individuals who regularly experience significant changes in environmental pressure, such as deep-sea divers and pilots. The primary cause of these disorders is the disproportionate distribution of gases in the body due to sudden pressure changes. Typical symptoms include dizziness, shortness of breath, joint pain, chest pain, confusion, and even loss of consciousness in severe cases. These conditions can progress rapidly and may severely affect the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems if left untreated. Some specific disorders within this category involve decompression sickness, also known as 'the bends', and barotrauma affecting different parts of the body including ears, sinuses, and lungs. These are not contagious conditions, but rather caused by environmental factors and the body's physiological responses to them.