8.1 Breathing and Respiration in special circumstances - ALTITUDE and DIVING Flashcards
ALTITUDE
how is the AIR
% Composition does NOT change
ASCENT: PARTIAL PRESSURES DECREASE with Decreasing Atmospheric/Barometric Pressure (climbing up)
ALTITUDE
PO2 at sea level vs at peak of Everest
sea level: 760 mm Hg
peak Everest: 43 mm Hg
ALTITUDE
PAO2 (ARTERIAL) in comparison to in DRY AIR and why
LOWER THAN IN DRY AIR
- Airways ADD WATER during Inspiration
ALTITUDE
effect of FALLING PAO2 on PARTIAL PRESSURE GRADIENT and what effect does this have
REDUCES PARTIAL PRESSURE GRADIENT
driving O2 UPTAKE
- causes HYPOXIA (low O2 in tissues)
ALTITUDE
effect of HYPOXIA
SENSORY and COGNITIVE Functions DECLINE
- CNS DEPENDENT on O2
ALTITUDE
HYPOXIA sensed by..
PERIPHERAL CHEMORECEPTORS
ALTITUDE
3 EFFECTS of HYPOXIA
- detected by Peripheral Chemoreceptors.
RESPIRATORY CENTRE responds by INCREASING VENTILATORY DRIVE
- Increase O2, Decrease CO2
- ACTIVATES CENTRAL CHEMORECEPTORS
-> BLUNTS RESPIRATORY DRIVE (decreases rate and depth) - Respiratory Centre INHIBITS CARDIOINHIBITORY CENTRE
- Increases HEART RATE, CARDIAC OUTPUT, O2 UPTAKE by PULMONARY PERFUSION - Hypoxia causes PULMONARY VASOCONSTRICTION
- Increases PULMONARY VASCULAR RESISTANT (blood flow resistance from pulmonary artery to left atrium)
- RIGHT HEART forced to generate HIGHER PRESSURE to MAINTAIN CARDIAC OUTPUT
ALTITUDE
effects of HYPOXIA on HEART
- RESPIRATORY CENTRE INHIBITS CARDIOINHIBITORY CENTRE
so INCREASES HEART RATE, CARDIAC OUTPUT, and O2 uptake by Pulmonary Perfusion - Pulmonary Vasoconstriction (pulmonary vascular resistance) causes RIGHT HEART to generate HIGHER PRESSURE to MAINTAIN CARDIAC OUTPUT
ALTITUDE
how does HYPOXIA affect VENTILATION
PERIPHERAL CHEMORECEPTORS: INCREASED VENTILATORY DRIVE (more O2)
LOW CO2 detected by CENTRAL CHEMORECEPTORS
- BLUNTS VENTILATORY DRIVE
ALTITUDE
ADAPTIVE RESPONSES (DAYS TO WEEKS)
- CENTRAL CHEMORECEPTORS adapt slowly over 8-24 HOURS so allow INCREASED VENTILATION
- LOW PaCO2 causes RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
- KIDNEY COMPENSATES for alkalosis: LESS H+ SECRETION so blood pH renormalises
- ALKALOSIS stimulates 2,3-DPG PRODUCTION
- LOWERS Hb O2 AFFINITY, dissociation curve shifts to RIGHT
- MORE O2 UNLOADING to tissues
ALTITUDE
how do you develop ALKALOSIS over few days/weeks
CENTRAL CHEMORECEPTORS ADAPT (8-24 hours)
- allow INCREASED VENTILATION
-> LOW CO2 (PaCO2) causes respiratory alkalosis
ALTITUDE
how do KIDNEYS compensate for ALKALOSIS development over few days/weeks
LESS H+ SECRETION
ALTITUDE
how does the ALKALOSIS Help
STIMULATES PRODUCTION of 2,3-DPG
- LOWERS Hb AFFINITY for OXYGEN (shift RIGHT)
- more O2 UNLOADING
ALTITUDE
ACCLIMATION: how do these people ADAPT LONG-TERM (over MONTHS/YEARS)
- Hypoxia stimulate ERYTHROPOIETIN from KIDNEYS
- Increase RBC
- INCREASE Hb CONC
- Increased BLOOD VOLUME
-> Blood’s OXYGEN-CARRYING CAPACITY INCREASES
by 50%
- Hypoxia stimulates ANGIONEOGENESIS (Production NEW CAPILLARIES)
- Increased CAPILLARY DENSITY
- Increased Tissue PERFUSION
-> INCREASED PULMONARY ARTERY PRESSURE promotes VASCULAR and VENTRICULAR REMODELLING (change shape to cope with pressure)
ALTITUDE
adverse EFFECTS of ACUTE (Short term) altitude sickness
- Headache
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Dyspnoea (struggling to breathe)
- Dizziness
- Nausea and Vomiting
ALTITUDE
adverse EFFECTS of CHRONIC (Long term) altitude sickness
BRONCHOCONSTRICTION
-> stresses RIGHT side of heard
can cause
- PULMONARY OEDEMA
- RIGHT HEART FAILURE
- DEATH
ALTITUDE
how do KIDNEYS help LONG-TERM ADAPTATION (ACCLIMATION)
produce ERYTHROPOEITIN which increases RBC, INCREASEs Hb,
blood carries 50% MORE OXYGEN
ALTITUDE
LONG-TERM adaptation of HEART
VASCULAR and VENTRICULAR REMODELLING
due to ANGIONEOGENESIS
- increased CAPILLARY DENSITY, tissue perfusion
- increased PULMOANRY ARTERIAL PRESSURE causes change in shape
DIVING
how is the PRESSURE
EXTERNAL HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE
- pressure INCREASES quickly with INCREASED DEPTH
water SQUEEZES and COMPRESSES from all sides