International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives:939
Food additives Europe numbers: E939
Helium is a chemical element on the periodic table with the atomic number of 2 and an atomic weight of 4.002602. It is a noble gas and is the second lightest element in the universe. It is present in the air at about five parts per million by volume. Helium is non-reactive and is used in various applications, including as a pressurizing gas in rockets and missiles, in balloons, and in some medical applications. It is also used in welding and as a coolant for nuclear reactors. Helium is used in medical applications such as cryogenics, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and therapeutic breathing gas. Its low boiling point of -452.1°F (-269.9°C) makes it useful as a cryogen, a supercooled liquid used to cool medical equipment, especially in MRI and NMR imaging machines. Helium is also used in medical breathing gases, as it is an inert gas and does not react with other substances. Medical oxygen-helium mixtures are used for treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory diseases. It is also used to treat decompression sickness, a dangerous condition that can occur when a person ascends too quickly from deep water or high altitudes.
Helium has various applications in the medical field, but it's crucial to differentiate between its direct uses and its role as a supportive element in medical equipment. Here's a breakdown:
Direct Medical Uses:
- Inhaled Helium Mixtures:
- Function: Used in specific situations to aid breathing in patients with upper airway obstruction caused by conditions like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or near-fatal drowning.
- Mechanism: Due to its low density compared to air, helium reduces the work of breathing by decreasing resistance in the airways. This allows for easier airflow and improved oxygen intake.
Important to note:
* Helium therapy should **only be administered under medical supervision** in a controlled healthcare setting. * It's **not a primary treatment** for any respiratory condition and should be used **in conjunction with other medical interventions** as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Indirect Medical Uses (as a supportive element):
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
- Function: Liquid helium is essential as a coolant for the superconducting magnets in MRI machines.
- Role: The extremely low temperatures achieved by liquid helium enable the magnets to function, creating the powerful magnetic field necessary for high-resolution medical imaging.
Additional points:
- Helium is non-toxic and inert, meaning it doesn't chemically react with other substances in the body.
- Due to its low density, helium cannot replace oxygen and should never be used as a recreational inhalant.
Disclaimer:
- This information is for general knowledge only and should not be taken as medical advice.
- Never attempt to self-administer helium or any other medical gas.
- In case of any respiratory difficulties, always seek immediate medical attention from a qualified healthcare professional.