Acute Mountain Sickness – The Foe in High Altitudes

The most amazing sceneries are found in the highlands and mountain ranges, no wonder many nature lovers even risk their lives to have a look of these awe-inspiring sceneries. Who could resist the magnificence of Drei Giffel in Alpine Mountains and Himalaya’s Mount K2, or wouldn’t drop a jaw upon getting a glimpse of Mount Alpamayo’s splendor? And when up on top of any of these, none would probably ever regret that they actually took such a risky adventure. The sceneries from the top of mountains are just priceless, and being able to see the grand masterpieces of nature will prove to be among the most unforgettable experiences.

Witnessing the grandest designs on Earth is never easy, though. The most longed sceneries come with great risks. Besides unpredictable situations, high altitudes can be deadly. In the Himalayas, where Mt. Everest is found, many have died already, and high altitude could be one of the reasons. The official altitude of the world’s highest peak is 29,029 feet above sea level, but could be higher by 6 feet. Climbing the highest summit of Mt. Everest fast is inviting, but at about 8000 feet, mild symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS can already be felt by mountaineers.

WHAT IS ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS?

AMS, also known as high altitude cerebral edema, is the body’s natural response to the scant oxygen supply in high altitudes. When a person is in such a place, barometric air pressure decreases and the lungs absorb less oxygen. The condition affects human body’s most vital organs, the lungs, heart, muscles, and nervous system upon reaching high elevation until about four days. Its best solution is to climb down. Otherwise, it could lead to death due to respiratory distress or brain swelling. Cerebral edema or brain swelling, pulmonary edema, and or coma are possible complications when preventive treatment is not administered on time.

A person can suffer from mild or severe AMS, depending on the altitude, speed of ascend, and overexerting before acclimatizing. During this period, fluids may accumulate in the lungs and or around the brain. When a mountain climber starts suffering from difficulty of sleeping, dizziness, fatigue, headache and loss of appetite, he is experiencing AMS symptoms that are mild to moderate. He can also experience nausea, rapid heart beat and shortness of breath. And when congestion, coughing up blood, gray or pale complexion, and inability to walk in a straight line or to walk at all, he is already suffering from severe AMS. Congestion, confusion, decreased consciousness and shortness of breath at rest also tells that AMS is severe, and immediate medical attention is needed.

To prevent AMS, individuals with respiratory ailment or anemia must avoid high altitudes. For medications, people in nursing uniforms and lab coats or your physician could best provide. As much as possible, do not travel alone. Extra oxygen must also be handy. And of course, never shun any symptoms of AMS.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

How would you know you are being poisoned with carbon monoxide? What are the common symptoms?

“The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death. Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses. People who are sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before ever experiencing symptoms,” according to CDC.

Symptoms may vary depending on how much toxic fumes have entered the body already.

Mild Symptoms: headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and blurred vision.

Moderate Symptoms: confusion, syncope, chest pain, weakness, dyspnea or shortness of breath, tachycardia or rapid heartbeat, tachypnea or abnormal fast breathing, and rhabdomyolis or the breaking down of muscle cells and releasing of contents into the bloodstream.

Severe Symptoms: palpitations, dysrhythmias, hypotension, myocardial ischemia, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, seizures, coma

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What are the sources of carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is found in combustion fumes produced by vehicles, cigarettes, and household appliances. Other sources also include small gasoline engines, gas water heaters, gas ranges, stoves, heating systems, spray paint, solvents, degreasers, paint removers, as well as burning charcoal and wood.

Prolonged stay in poorly ventilated enclosed or semi-enclosed areas where any carbon monoxide-producing sources are being used, CO poisoning can occur.

What is Hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin is a molecule present in our 30 trillion red blood cells. It is responsible in transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues throughout the body. Without hemoglobin, humans and animals alike will die instantly. With it in each of our red blood cells, but with carbon monoxide transported to our tissues instead of oxygen, we can be poisoned or even die.

A hemoglobin molecule is made up around 10,000 hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen atoms carefully assembled in 4 iron atoms. These are designed to bind and unbind oxygen at the right timing. However, during the process of inhalation, it is not only oxygen that is taken into the lungs. Other harmful components such as carbon monoxide are also inhaled. And since carbon monoxide binds to iron atoms in hemoglobin over 200 times more readily than oxygen does prolonged exposure and inhalation of the toxic carbon monoxide overcrowds oxygen. This results to damaged tissues, and at worst death.

How does carbon monoxide poisons?

Carbon monoxide poisoning happens when the body gets too much carbon monoxide instead of oxygen that it necessitates. The human body’s component responsible to this is the same component with which the oxygen depends in order to reach the different parts of the body – the hemoglobin.

What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas or CO is known to be a Silent Killer. It is produced by burning material that contains carbon. Carbon monoxide affects plants, animals and human, and can cause death to anyone who suffered from prolonged exposure. CO poisoning is actually believed to be responsible of more than half of all the poisoning deaths worldwide. In the United States alone, incidents of carbon dioxide poisoning reported in health care facilities reach about 40,000 yearly, and killing 2,500 Americans, according to the CDC or Centers for Disease Control.

How does carbon monoxide poisons?
What is Hemoglobin?
What are the sources of carbon monoxide?
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?