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 | Nutritional Aspects of High Altitude and Snow Bound Areas
Author : Sridharan, K.;Rai, R.m.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:34(4) ; 1984 ; pp 429-441
Subject : 61 Medical Sciences;612 Physiology
Keywords : Precise Nutritional;High Altitude;Hypoxia
Abstract : The precise nutritional requirement of humans at high altitude area is not well defined. Further there are many conflicting reports on the effects of hypoxia on digestion, absorption and utilization of food at high altitude. In this review the nutritional requirement at high altitude and the effects of hypoxia on humans in relation to nutrition have been discussed. |
| | Chemoreceptor sensitivity in women mountaineering trainees of different altitudes inducted by trekking to 4350 m
Author : Bhaumik, G.;Purkayastha, S. S.;Sharma, R. P.;Sharma, Y. K.;Selvamurthy, W.;Banerjee, P. K.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:55(4) ; 2005 ; pp 427-435
Subject : 57.089 Biomedical Sciences ;61 Medical Sciences;612 Physiology
Keywords : Hypoxic ventilatory response;Hypercapnic ventilatory response;High altitude;Chemoreceptor sensitivity
Abstract : This study was conducted on women mountaineering trainees to evaluate the hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses, and the precise nature of changes in the sensitivity of chemoreceptors on induction by trekking to 4350 m. Two groups of women belonging to different ethnic origins and residents of different altitudes, ie, moderate-altitude women (MAW- Mongolians) and low-altitude women (LAW-Caucasians) were the subjects in this study. Tests of sensitivity to hypoxia and hypercapnia were carried out initially at 2100 m, then during 4 to7 days of sojourn at 4350 m following induction by trekking, and re-tested on return to 2100 m. The results indicate that there is a significant difference (P < 0.05) of hypoxic ventilatory response in women of two different ethnic groups. Both hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses increased significantly (P < 0.05) on induction to high altitude. On descent, hypoxic values reverted back to pre-induction levels, whereas hypercapnic ventilatory response showed relatively higher values (P < 0.05). |
| | Attributes of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) to Meet Nutritional Requirements in High Altitude
Author : Stobdan, Tsering;Chaurasia, O.P.;Korekar, Girish;Mundra, Sunil;Ali, Zulfikar;Yadav, Ashish;Singh, Shashi Bala
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:60(2) ; 2010 ; pp 226-230
Subject : 631 Agriculture;Defence Science Journal
Keywords : Hippophae rhamnoides L.;high altitude;nutrition;Seabuckthorn
Abstract : The diet of humans living in different geographical and climatic regions of the earth varies greatly in both quantity and composition of foods. Evidence is accumulating that indicates that there is a high risk of malnutrition at high altitude because of the usual lack of fresh food and environmental factors. Lack of nutritious diet in the difficult terrain is a potential stressor that elicits oxidative stress. The excretion of minerals from the body is higher in high altitude condition. The altered nutritional requirement can be met to a large extend by regular consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Results of analysis of Seabuckthorn growing in Leh valley of Trans-Himalaya showed the presence of high content of multivitamins including vitamin C (275 mg/100g), vitamin A (432.4 IU/100g), vitamin E (3.54 mg/100g), Riboflavin (1.45 mg/100g), Niacin (68.4 mg/100g), Pantothenic acid (0.85 mcg/100g), vitamin B-6 (1.12 mg/100g), and vitamin B-2 (5.4 mcg/100g). Similarly, mineral elements composition revealed high amount of minerals including potassium (647.2 mg/l), calcium (176.6 mg/l), iron (30.9 mg/l), magnesium (22.5 mg/l), phosphorous (84.2 mg/l), sodium (414.2 mg/l), zinc (1.4 mg/l), copper (0.7 mg/l), manganese (1.06 mg/l) and selenium (0.53 mg/l). |
| | Changes in Electrocardiogram Among temporary Residents at High Altitude
Author : Kapoor, S.C.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:34(4) ; 1984 ; pp 389-395
Subject : 61 Medical Sciences;612 Physiology
Keywords : High Altitude;ECGs
Abstract : A prospective study was conducted on young healthy men who were residents of plains and stayed at high altitude for 24 months the first 12 months at an altitude of 4,200 meters and subsequent 12 months at 3,600 meters. Their ECGs were recorded in the plains before departure for high altitude and after 3,6,11,18 and 23 months of stay at high altitude. After their return to the plains further ECG examinations were carried out after 1,3and 6 months of return. ECG changes suggestive of right ventricular hypertrophy were present in a substantial number of individuals after three months of arrival and they persisted during their stay at high altitude. The ECG changes reversed completely in majority of individuals within one month of return to plains. These changes are considered to be due to hypoxia and are reversible. |
| | Soldier at High Altitude: Problems and Preventive Measures
Author : Purkayastha, S.S.;Selvamurthy, W.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:50(2) ; 2000 ; pp 183-198
Subject : 57.089 Biomedical Sciences ;612 Physiology;61 Medical Sciences
Keywords : High altitude;Pulmonary oedema;Hypoxia
Abstract : "Due to military and strategic reasons, a large body of troops is being regularly deployed in the snowbound areas throughout Himalayan regions to guard the frontiers. The mountain environment at high altitude (HA) consists of several factors alien to plain dwellers, which evoke a series of physiological responses in human system. Some of the sea level residents on induction to HA suffer from several untoward symptoms of HA ailments varying from mild-to-severe degrees. Sudden exposure is detrimental to physical and mental performance of the low landers and in certain cases, may even lead to dreaded condition like high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPO). These may make a man disturbed physically and mentally. So, there is a need to prevent such hazards which is possible if the individual is aware of the problems and preventive measures of HA ailments in advance, before going to HA for a safe and happy living there. Hence, a noble effort has been made to provide guidelines to create awareness about physical and physiological problems of life at HA and the methods of protection against its ill-effects for the soldiers, mountaineers and soldiers journers conducting scientific trials at HA. In this review, an attempt has been made to describe vital aspects of HA in a popular way, starting with its concept and various environmental factors which exert considerable effects on human body functions, health and performance on exposure to such environment, on the basis of a series of studies conducted at It the Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied sciences, Delhi, over the years. The most important featurel of HA (3,000 m and above) is hypoxia or deficiency of oxygen in the body. Other environmental factors are: severe cold, high velocity wind, low relative humidity, high solar radiation, increased ultraviolet radiation and difficult terrain. These factors are responsible for various HA and cold syndromes, viz., acute mountain sickness, HAPO, dehydration, sunburn, snow-blindness, CO-poisoning, hypothermia and cold injury of the extremities. " |
| | High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema
Author : Menon, N.D.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:34(3) ; 1984 ; pp 317-327
Subject : 61 Medical Sciences;612 Physiology
Keywords : Pulmonary Oedema ;High Altitude
Abstract : High Altitiude Pulmonary Oedema(HAPO) is the most common serious ailment affecting troops serving at high altitude. The incidence is about 1 in 200 amongst individuals proceeding by air to an altitude 11000 feet(3,413.7m). The manifestations of HAPO are: cough, dysnoea, haemoptysis, weakness, absence of signs of infection. presence of pulmonary rales and cyanosis and prompt disappearance of symptoms and signs with treatment with bed rest, and therapy with supplemental oxygen. Prompt and adequate treatment yields eminently gratifying results in practically every instance. Oxygen and bed rest remain the sheet anchor of treatment, supplemented on occasion by diuretics and sedatives. The role of digoxin in the therapy of HAPO is debateable and its aetiopathogenesis is still unclear. The paper presents the clinical data of the first series of cases to be reported from India, and compare the findings with those of other and subsequent workers. |
| | Studies on Prevention of cold Injuries
Author : Mathew, Lazar
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:34(4) ; 1984 ; pp 417-428
Subject : 61 Medical Sciences;612 Physiology
Keywords : Cold Injuries;High altitude
Abstract : Studied were carried out to find out suitable measures for prevention of cold injuries. These includes methods to screen out individuals who are more prone to cold injuries; and to evaluate the effect of cold acclimatization and use of certain drugs and vitamins in its prevention. Studies were also conduced to evaluate the peripheral vascular response to cold on a group of young men who suffered from cold injury at high altitude. Experiments on monkeys have shown that the animals with higher peripheral vascular response under local cold stress are better protected against frost bite. Cold acclimatization also was found to be effective in raising these responses and thereby lessening the degree of injury, in experimental animals. Role of certain drugs and vitamins were tried in animals. |
| | Biochemical changes in lowlanders on descent to plains after prolonged stay at high altitude : A cross sectional study
Author : Singh, Som Nath;Shyam, Radhey;Vats, Praveen;Singh, Vijay Kumar;Singh, Shashi Bala
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:54(2) ; 2004 ; pp 169-178
Subject : 612 Physiology;61 Medical Sciences
Keywords : De-induction;High altitude;Biochemical changes;Creatinine clearance;Liver function;Analysis of variance (ANOVA
Abstract : The biochemical changes taking place in human subjects following de-induction to plains from high altitude (5700-6100 m) after a prolonged stay of 9-13 months were investigated in 120 soldiers in four groups of 30 each on day 5, 30, 60 and 90 after their descent. One group of soldiers, who were never posted at high altitude served as control. Haemoglobin levels, which were initially high after 5 days of de-induction dropped to significantly lower levels in the group studied on day 60 after de-induction. No clinically abnormal changes were noted in activities of serum enzymes, ie, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and (Gamma)-glutamyl transpeptidase. Alanine aminotransferase activity was found significantly elevated in 5-day group (53.1± 0.24IU/l). Cholesterol and triglyceride levels were higher in 30-day group in comparison to groups studied on day 5, 60 and 90 after de-induction from high altitude. Activity of glutathione S-transferase was more in groups studied on day 30 and 60 and may be in response to increased demand for detoxification of certain metabolites. Endogenous creatinine clearance was impaired with concomitant increase in serum creatinine levels. The creatinine clearance returned to normal only in group studied on day 90 after de-induction. Testosterone and estradiol levels were within normal physiological limits. However, there was increase in testosterone levels following de-induction. Results of this cross-sectional study indicate that it takes 1-3 months after de-induction from high altitude for biochemical parameters to reach normal levels. |
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