Iran trekker high altitude hazard study and more...
Feb 23, 2004 21: 03 EST
From the pages of the latest journal, Wilderness and Environmental Medicine 14(4), 2003:
A study of trekkers in Iran proved, once again, that quick ascent to high altitudes can be hazardous. Using the Lake Louise questionnaire, these researchers evaluated 459 trekkers traveling from 2900m to 5671m (Mt. Damavand) and found that 60% of them suffered from acute mountain sickness. They looked for risk factors associated with an increased incidence of AMS and found (not surprisingly) that risk of AMS was higher in folks who: lived at elevations under 900m, had less trekking experience, had a previous history of AMS, had faster rate of ascent, slept longer at high altitude and had a longer rate of descent. The researchers found NO correlation of AMS illness with sex, history of smoking, body mass index, weight of backpack, or age.
(Ziaee V, Yunesian M, etal, Acute Mountain Sickness in Iranian Trekkers Around Mount Damavand (5671m) in Iran, pp 214-219.)
Another interesting case report tells us of the unusual but real hazard of increased blood coagulation at altitude. On day 45 of an expedition on Gasherbrum 1 (8068m) a climber developed difficulty speaking and walking and subsequent visual problems that progressed to being unable to stand durning the 10 day rescue operation. His colleagues correctly assumed HACE (which is much more likely) and treated him accordingly. On further evaluation in hospital, he was found to have an unusual blood clot in the brain called cerebral sinus thrombosis. This case reminds us that altitude acclimatization can increase the blood cell volume and that if we don't take care to remain well hydrated those blood cells can turn on us by clotting and creating other hazardous and life threatening problems.
(Saito S, Tanaka SK, A case of Cerebral Sinus Thrombosis Developed During a High-Altitude Expedition to Gasherbrum I, p 226.)
If you're interested in reading the complete articles and more interesting wilderness medical literature, follow the links to the journal by visiting the Wilderness Medical Society website at www.wms.org.
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