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 | Incidence of Cold Injury and Effects of Reduced Air Pressure in High Altitude Areas of the Himalayas
Author : Verma, B.D.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:34(4) ; 1984 ; pp 381-388
Subject : 61 Medical Sciences;612 Physiology
Keywords : Cold Injury;Himalaya;High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema
Abstract : Data covering the three year period, 1981-1984, from the forward area hospitals, receiving patients from units operating in high altitude areas of the Himalaya reveal an average admission of 247 and 171 cases of cold injury and effects of reduced air pressure respectively. Chillblain was the commonest(85.8%) form of cold injury and high altitude pulmonary oedema the commonest(76.2%)clinical syndrome in the hopoxia group. In both groups, the disease was mild in 61 per cent cases and severe in about 36 per cent. |
| | Susceptibility to Frost Bite
Author : Krishna, Bal;Rai, R.M.;Bhatia, B.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:16(4) ; 1966 ; pp 113-124
Subject : 61 Medical Sciences;612 Physiology
Keywords : Lewis Hunting Reaction;Cold injury;Frost-Bite
Abstract : The body protects its susceptible parts e.g. hands and feet from cold injury by allowing a surge of blood to flow through them on exposure to severe cold. This occurs through alternate vasodilatation and vasoconstriction known as Lewis Hunting Reaction. This phenomenon is influenced by several factors, which indirectly may also affect individual susceptibility to cold injury. The role of nutrition, adequate insulation of the body and positive heat balance in relation to the protective mechanism have been reviewed and discussed. Available literature on various factors has been surveyed and discussed in the light of recent advances in the physiology of cold exposure. Certain tests based on the present knowledge, to be developed and standardised for screening susceptible individuals to frost-bite have been suggested. |
| | Frostbite : Suspectibility Prevention and Immediate Treatment
Author : Selvamurthy, W. ;Purkayastha, S.S.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:49(5) ; 1999 ; pp 371-380
Subject : 612 Physiology;61 Medical Sciences
Keywords : Acclimatisation ;Cold induced vasodilatation;Cold injury;Frostbite
Abstract : "Frostbite, the severest form of cold injury, is a major health hazard and a serious medical problem for the Armed Forces operating in snow-bound areas at high altitudes. Detailed experiments on susceptibility, prevention and treatment were conducted to find out suitable measures to prevent, treat and ameliorate cold injuries. Experiments conducted on monkeys have shown that animals with higher peripheral vascular response are better protected against cold injury. Measurements of cold-induced vasodilatation (CIVD), heat output and peripheral blood f1ow under local cold stress can be used to screen out highly prone individuals to frostbite. Cold acclimatisation was effective in raising the peripheral vascular response and thereby lessening the degree of injury. Frostbite having occurred, its treatment is not very satisfactory. This is primarily due to the time lag between occurrence of frostbite and initiation of therapy, which plays a vital role in its curative action. Keeping this in view, many experiments have been conducted on this treatment. Pilot studies were carried out using various drugs and vitamins, and also procedures like rapid rewarming in warm water, tea decoction, turnip (shalgum) decoction, etc., singly as well as in combination, for treatment. The most encouraging result was obtained by the procedure of rapid rewarming in tea decoction maintained at 37-39 °C immediately after cold exposure, followed by combined therapy of aspirin (5 mg/kg) and pentoxifylline (40.mg/kg) along with vitamin C (50 mg/kg) twice daily for 7 days. " |
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