Module 6 - Athletes at High Altitude: Medical Aspects Flashcards
What is the Himalayan Rescue Association?
- Non-profit Nepali Run Organization
- Mandate to reduce illness & mortality in the Himalayas
What does the Himalayan Rescue Association do?
- Educate: Foreigners and Nepalese
- Medical Care for Travellers
- Medical Care for Locals (subsidized by foreigners)
Where is the Himalayan Rescue Association Located?
- 3 Permanent Clinics in Nepal
- 1 Emergency Clinic: Lake Gosainkunda (LangTang Region)
What does the Manang Aid Post in Nepal do?
- Operate an aid post
- Daily lecture to trekkers and guides
- House calls to villagers and nearby monasteries
- Organise Evacuations when Necessary
How many Staff does the Manang Aid Post in Nepal have?
- 3 Physicians
- 1 RN
- 1 Cook
- 1 Chef de Maison
How does altitude acclimatization work?
Increased
- Ventilation
- Cardiac Output
- Hemoconcentration
What does Altitude Acclimatization do?
- enhances Oxygen Delivery
What is the best way to undergo altitude acclimatization?
Occurs over days to months
- Graded ascent where possible
How long before sleep improvements are seen in altitude acclimatization?
- First few days
What happens after weeks to months of altitude acclimatization?
- Red Blood Cell mass increases
What are the Altitude Illness Syndromes?
- Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
- High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE)
- High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE)
What are the confirmed risk factors for Acute Mountain Sickness?
- Rate of Ascent
- Previous History of AMS
- Exertion
- Obesity
What are some unconfirmed but possible risk factors for Acute Mountain Sickness?
- Previous Neck Dissection
- Dehydration
- Infection
What are the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness?
- Headache
- Sleep Disturbance, Insomnia
- Anorexia, Nausea, Vomiting
- Light-headedness, dizziness
- Fatigue
What are some other possible explanations for symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness?
- Dehydration
- Hangover
- Migraine
- Overexertion
- Viral Illness
- Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
- Carbon Monoxide Exposure
What is High-Altitude Cerebral Oedema?
- Believed to be the severe end of the AMS spectrum
- Can be lethal within 12 hours
What are the symptoms of High-Altitude Cerebral Oedema?
AMS Symptoms Plus:
- Ataxia
- Confusion
- Lethargy
- Altered level of consciousness
What is High-Altitude Pulmonary Oedema?
- Most lethal altitude illness
- Separate Condition from AMS/HACE: often co-exist
- Onset after 2-5 days
- Aggravated by cold, exertion
What are the risk factors of High-altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE)?
- Rate of Ascent
- Exertion
- Previous History
- Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
- Unilateral Pulmonary Artery
What are the Symptoms of High-Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE)?
- Dyspnoea at Rest
- Cough
- Bloody Cough: Pink Frothy Sputum
- Poor Exercise Tolerance
- Orthopnoea
- Febrile (fever)
What is the problem with medications for Altitude Illness Prevention?
- Most medications are not Permitted by WADA
What medications for altitude illness prevention are not permitted by WADA?
- Acetazolamide
- Dexamethasone
What medications are used for AMS and HACE?
- ACetazolamide
- Dexamethasone