Aetiology
High pressure fluids, such as water, gas, or oil, can cause a number of health effects, including skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain. These effects can occur after exposure to a single high pressure event, or can be the result of long-term exposure to high pressure fluids.
Diagnosis
In order to diagnose the effects of high-pressure fluids, a doctor will typically take a detailed history from the patient, including questions about any previous or current exposure to high-pressure fluids. The doctor may also perform a physical examination to look for signs of skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain. In some cases, additional tests may be ordered, such as blood tests and imaging studies.
Differential diagnosis
It is important to differentiate the effects of high-pressure fluids from other conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is also important to rule out any underlying medical conditions, such as infection, allergies, or cardiovascular disease.
Treatment
Treatment of the effects of high-pressure fluids will depend on the severity of the symptoms. In some cases, simple measures, such as avoiding further exposure to the high-pressure fluid, getting adequate rest, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers, may be enough to relieve the symptoms. In other cases, more aggressive treatment, such as prescription medications, physical therapy, or even surgery, may be necessary.
Prognosis
With proper diagnosis and treatment, most people will recover from the effects of high-pressure fluids. However, long-term exposure to high-pressure fluids may cause permanent damage to organs and tissues, and can increase the risk of developing certain conditions, such as respiratory allergies or asthma.