Fertility issues on Altitude and other new findings.
Feb 23, 2004 20: 53 EST
Some new research findings hot off the press:
Acetaminophen (eg Tylenol) and ibuprofen (eg Motrin, Nuprin) are equally effective for the treatment of mild headache at altitude, according to a study done in the Khumbu. The researchers used a 1000 mg dose of acetominophen and 400 mg of ibuprofen. Recall that it is safe to take these medications for the headache, but care should be taken to assure you are well hydrated and rested and headache is completely resolved before any attempt at continued ascent. And if a trekker at altitude with headache begins to have trouble with balance, it should be presumed that high altitude cerebral edema has set in and that the patient must immediately descend.
Reference: Harris NS, et al: High altitude headache: efficacy of aceaminophen vs. ibuprofen in a a randomized, controlled trail. J Emerg Med. 24:383-7 2003.
More on fertility issues at altitude:
In a study of 3 male climbers to 7821m, serum testosterone and sperm counts were decreased at 1 and 3 months after expedition but returned to normal by 2 years. In addition, sperm were abnormally shaped at 1 month but returned to normal at 3 months. LImitations of this study? Only 3 subjects (sample collection might be a "hard" sell in cold hypoxic conditions?) but this data certainly suggests that further research is needed to define this potential problem.
Reference: Okumura A, et al: Change in male reproductive function after high altitude mountaineering. High Altitude Med and Blol:4 (3) 349 2003.
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