Effects of barometric pressure Flashcards
What is 2 adaptations to altitude?
Hyperventilation and polycythaemia
What does hyper
Other adaptations to altitude? 5 main points
- Right shifted O2-Hb dissociation curve (moderate altitudes)
- Better unloading at tissue level (possible loading limitation)
- Caused by [2,3-DPG] - Left shifted O2-Hb dissociation curve (high altitudes)
- Better loading at the pulmonary capillaries
- Caused by respiratory alkalosis - Improved diffusion capacity via:
- Expanded surface area via greater lung volume on inflation
- Increased tissue capillarisation (angiogenesis) (days) - Endothelial cells release up to 10 times more nitric oxide (NO)
- Reduced skeletal muscle fibre size (weeks)
- In conjunction with increased oxidative capacity & mitochondria numbers
What do athletes often take?
EPO
What happens at high altitude to arterial O2 and the Hb saturation via the O2 Hb dissociation curve?
Despite low levels of arterial O2 and lower Hb saturation via O2 Hb dissociation curve
What is the total O2 content at higher altitudes?
Polycthemia
blood is more cellular more viscoisty, so more work for the cardiac system leading to hypertrophy and blood flow distribution can be uneven as well
What does the O2 HB dissociation curve at moderation altitudes look like?
S shaped curve
Why is the diffusion capacity increased at moderate altitudes?
increased diffusion capacity as we need to breathe more
actual size of skeletal muscle fibres is reduced and shrinks due to losing appetite and lose sustantial amount of weight?
sleeping is affected, chemoreceptros are reduced
particualr changing initially to sleep at moderate altitudes as heart rate is icnreased and breathing is more dificult
What is a mild sickness at moderate-higher altirtudes?
Acute mountain sickness: AMS
Does AMS affect men or women more?
AMS is higher in women
some people just adapt better than others
Symptoms of AMS
- Headaches, Loss of appetite & Insomnia, Nausea, Vomiting, Dyspnea
- Begin from 6 to 48 h after arrival to altitude (most severe days 2 and 3)
- Worse at night (as respiratory drive is reduced)
What does AMS incidence vary with ?
altitude, rate of ascent & individual’s susceptibility
AMS incidence varies with altitude, rate of ascent & individual’s susceptibility - explain:
Elevations 2,500–3,500 m: incidence ~15% (higher in women)
* Maybe linked to low ventilatory response to hypoxia
* Physical conditioning little protection against effect of hypoxia
* Elevations >3,500 m : ~ 75% of individuals at least mild symptoms
What is high altitude pulmonary/ cerebral oedema?
Linked to pulmonary vasoconstriction (hypoxia): high [protein] oedema fluid from damaged capillaries.
- Fluid accumulation leads to persistent cough, shortness of breath, cyanosis of lips & fingernails and loss of consciousness.
- Could lead to High altitude cerebral oedema (fluid accumulation in cranial cavity)