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12 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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When does transient mounta in sickness begin?
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It develops 8-24 hours after arrival at altitude and lasts 4-8 days.
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What are the signs of altitude sickness?
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It is given by headache, irritability, insomnia, breathlessness, nausea and vomiting. These might be associated with cerebral edema.
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How does O2 fit into the symptoms?
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The low PO2 at high altitude causes arteriolar dilation, and if cerebral autoregulation does not compensate, there is an increase in capillary pressure that favors increased transudation of fluid into brain tissue.
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Urine volume is decreased in individuals who develop this condition. TRUE/FALSE
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TRUE
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Are there any serious conditions associated with altitude sickness?
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Yes. High altitude cerebral edema and altitude pulmonary edema.
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What happens in the first case?
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In the cerebral edema, the capillary leakage in mountain sickness progresses to frank brain swelling with ataxia, disorientation, and in some cases coma and death due to herniation of the brain through the tentorium.
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What happens in the pulmonary edema form?
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IT is a patchy edema of the lungs that is related to the marked pulmonary hypertension that develops at high altitude. Perhaps not all pulmonary arteries have enough smooth muscle to constrict in response to hypoxia.
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Can forms of altitude sickness be treated?
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Yes. All forms are benefitted by descending to lower altitudes and by treatment with the diuretic acetozolamide.
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How would acetazolamide work in this case?
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It inhibits carbonic anhydrase, producing increased HCO3 excretion in the urine, stimulating respiration, increasing PaCO2 and reducing the formation of CSF.
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How would the treatment of cerebral edema be approached?
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Large doses of corticosteroids are often administered.
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What about the treatment of pulmonary edema?
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Prompt treatment with O2 is essential, and if available use of hyperbaric chamber.
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Is the drug, Nifedipine ever employed?
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Yes. This is a calcium channel blocker that lowers pulmonary artery pressure.
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