ALTITUDE RELATED DISORDERS

Question 1

What are 3 main types of altitude-related disorders?

Answer 1

acute mountain sickness
High altitude pulmonary oedema
High altitude cerebral oedema

Question 2

When do altitude related disorders typically take effect?

Answer 2

Above 2500m
Develop gradually over 6-12 hours

Question 3

How does acute mountain sickness present?

Answer 3

headache
nausea
fatigue

Question 4

What causes altitude related disorders?

Answer 4

chronic hypobaric hypoxia which develops at high altitudes

Question 5

How should you prevent acute mountain sickness?

Answer 5

May be positively correlated to physical fitness
Gain altitude at no more than 500m a day
Acetazolamide may be used to prevent

Question 6

How does acetazolamide work as prevention for acute mountain sickness?

Answer 6

it causes a primary metabolic acidosis and compensatory respiratory alkalosis which increases respiratory rate and improves oxygenation

Question 7

How is acute mountain sickness treated?

Answer 7

descent

Question 8

How does high altitude pulmonary oedema present?

Answer 8

Classic pulmonary oedema features

Question 9

How does high altitude cerebral oedema present?

Answer 9

Headache
Ataxia
Papilloedema

Question 10

How do you manage high altitude pulmonary oedema?

Answer 10

Descent
Dexamethasone

Question 11

How do you manage high altitude cerebral oedema?

Answer 11

Descend
nifedipine, dexamethasone, acetazolamide, phosphodiesterase type V inhibitors
oxygen if available