Which change in blood and fluid dynamics is described with diathermy?

Which change in blood and fluid dynamics is described with diathermy?

• A. Increase blood flow
• B. Decrease capillary pressure
• C. Decrease capillary growth
• D. Decrease fibroblast activity

Answer: (A)

Diathermy heats the tissue, which causes local blood vessels to dilate. This vasodilation increases blood flow to the treated area, boosting perfusion and helping with oxygen delivery and waste removal—key changes in blood and fluid dynamics during therapy. The other options don’t reflect the immediate vascular response to heating: capillary pressure isn’t reduced by diathermy; capillary growth isn’t an acute effect of a short thermal application; and fibroblast activity isn’t decreased by diathermy—the notable shift is the rise in local blood flow.

Diathermy heats the tissue, which causes local blood vessels to dilate. This vasodilation increases blood flow to the treated area, boosting perfusion and helping with oxygen delivery and waste removal—key changes in blood and fluid dynamics during therapy. The other options don’t reflect the immediate vascular response to heating: capillary pressure isn’t reduced by diathermy; capillary growth isn’t an acute effect of a short thermal application; and fibroblast activity isn’t decreased by diathermy—the notable shift is the rise in local blood flow.