From: eugene@amelia.nas.nasa.gov (Eugene N. Miya)
Subject: [l/m 9/18/92] AMS			Distilled Wisdom (21/28) XYZ
Followup-To: poster
Organization: NAS Program, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 92 12:20:12 GMT
Reply-To: eugene@amelia.nas.nasa.gov (Eugene N. Miya)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
A recurring topic of discussion is altitude sickness and treatment.
AMS (acute mountain sickness)
Time and a distinct lack of resources can quickly elevate the
dangers of a medical emergency.  High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE),
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), and retinal hemorrhaging
are all problems which can take place in some individuals as low
as 5-8,000 feet.  You can read references, but you have a responsibility
to be in reasonable physical shape, drinking plenty of fluids.
But the important thing to realize is that you have a MARGIN of
safety you are cutting into.
You should consult YOUR physician about YOUR special needs.
Diamox or Previtin should not be taken lightly.
Reactions to other drugs (even aspirin), allergries can differ at
higher elevations.  See a physician.
Another topic where urban thinking can harm you.
Drug treatment is not a substitute for descending.

Gamow bags have been discussed as an expensive measure (perhaps most
useful for high altitude expeditions).  Bottled LO2 is also a possibility.

1  Ferreira and Grundy, _Dexamethasone in the Treatment of Acute Mountain
   Sickness_, NEJM, VOl. 312, No 21, page 1390, 23 May 1985.
2  Oelz, Oswald, _A Case of High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema Treated with
   Nifedipine_, JAMA, Vol 257, No 6, page 780, 13 Feb 1987.

Bibliography:

"Medicine for Mountaineering: Third Edition" edited by James A. Wilkerson,
M.D., 1985, The Mountaineers, ISBN 0-89886-086-5.

"Medicine for the Outdoors" by Paul S. Auerbach, M.D., 1986, Little,
Brown and Company, ISBN 0-316-05928-5 (hc) 0-316-05929-3 (pbk).

"Wilderness Medicine" by William Forgey, M.D., 1987, ICS Books, Inc.,
ISBN 0-934802-37-8

"Mountain Sickness"
 by Charles S. Houston
 Scientific American, October 1992, page 58.
Synopsis at top of the article says:
 "The varied and subtle symptoms of this potentially lethal disorder 
 humble many who scale the summit.  But the problem is often 
 preventable."


TABLE OF CONTENTS of this chain:

21/ AMS						<* THIS PANEL *>
22/ Words from Foreman and Hayduke
23/ A bit of song (like camp songs)
24/ What is natural?
25/ A romantic notion of high-tech employment
26/ Other news groups of related interest, networking
27/ Films/cinema references
28/ References (written)
1/ DISCLAIMER
2/ Ethics
3/ Learning I
4/ learning II (lists, "Ten Essentials," Chouinard comments)
5/ Summary of past topics
6/ Non-wisdom: fire-arms topic circular discussion
7/ Phone / address lists
8/ Fletcher's Law of Inverse Appreciation and advice
9/ Water Filter wisdom
10/ Words from Rachel Carson
11/ Snake bite
12/ Netiquette
13/ Questions on conditions and travel
14/ Dedication to Aldo Leopold
15/ Leopold's lot.
16/ Morbid backcountry
17/ Information about bears
18/ Poison ivy, frequently ask, under question
19/ Lyme disease, frequently ask, under question
20/ "Telling questions" backcountry Turing test (under construction)

Newsgroups: rec.backcountry