Environmental Injuries High Altitude Sickness Frostbite

High Altitude Sickness Resulting from hypoxia Will show up within the first few days at altitude 3 types: AMS: Acute Mountain Sickness HACE: High Altitude Cerebral Edema HAPE: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema

High Altitude Sickness AMS: Acute Mountain Sickness Most common Causes: insufficient hydration, respiration, genetics Minor brain swelling due to hypoxic stress HAPE: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema Increased fluid in alveoli HACE: High Altitude Cerebral Edema Advanced brain swelling 10% as frequent as HAPE

High Altitude Sickness Acclimatization Faster respiration alone cannot compensate for lower O2 levels at higher altitudes. Body must reset blood chemistry, resulting in increased respiration rate and kidney function, which produces more EPO to increase O2 uptake rate. Some people acclimatize quickly, and can ascend rapidly; others acclimatize slowly

AMS: Acute Mountain Sickness S&S – What you see Headache Dizzy or lightheaded Nausea HAPE = AMS + dry cough, respiratory distress, mild chest pain, Severe Case = cyanosis / sputum / rapid pulse HACE = AMS + loss of muscle coordination + altered mental state

AMS: Acute Mountain Sickness Assessment ABCs – listen to breathing sounds LOR Vital Signs OPQRST – When did they get to altitude? SAMPLE – History of altitude sickness?

AMS: Acute Mountain Sickness Treatment Descend O2 if severe S&S, or decreased LOR Position of comfort Avoid exercise or exertion Nonprescription drug for headache Hydrate Do not leave alone

High Altitude Sickness: Prevention Gradual ascent Never ascend with symptoms of AMS Avoid overexertion Consider prophylactics: Acetazikamide (Diamox) Dexamethasone Combination of above Ginko biloba

Frostbite Frostnip Superficial Frostbite Deep Frostbite Rate and Severity depend on ~ wind chill, alcohol a/o drugs, altitude, getting wet or being damp, length of exposure

Frostbite – what is happening? The blood vessels constrict as a natural reaction to prevent body heat loss and hypothermia. With a loss of warming blood flow the fluids in the body tissues and cellular spaces crystallizes This freezing can damage the blood vessels causing blood clotting and lack of oxygen to the affected area and deeper tissues.

Frostbite – Alcohol & Nicotine? Vasodilators (eg alcohol) causes blood vessels to stay open taking heat away from inner core. Your body therefore cools down faster, promoting hypothermia, and speeding up the onset of frostbite. Vasoconstrictors (eg nicotine) constrict the extremity blood vessels even more than the body is already doing to maintain core temperature, thereby speeding up the onset of frostbite.

Frostnip (1st degree frostbite) S&S – What you see Most often seen on cheeks, earlobes, fingers, toes Numbed skin that has turned white in color. Freezing of top layers of skin tissue, usually reversible As it heals, appearance is similar to that of sunburn (a 1st degree burn).

Frostnip (cont’d) Treatment Rewarm by gently blowing warm air/placing against warm body part. Don’t rub - can damage tissue. Watch for S&S of hypothermia

Superficial Frostbite S&S – What you see The skin will be white or blue and will feel hard and frozen ; but tissue underneath is still soft Blisters usually appear within 24 hours after rewarming.

Superficial Frostbite (cont’d) Treatment For resort environments, rewarming should be done under medical supervision Rapid rewarming by immersion in warm (102° to 108°F) water. Need to monitor temp carefully Continue for 20-30 minutes or color goes to deep red or blue Give hot drinks and keep patient warm Rewarming hurts! Suggest ibuprofen Do not allow to rethaw

Deep Frostbite S&S – What you see Affected parts will have no feeling and blisters may be present. The skin is white, blotchy and/or blue. The tissue underneath is hard and cold to the touch. Think - Frozen Chicken

Deep Frostbite (cont’d) Treatment Delay rewarming until it can be done once & done well. Refreezing ALWAYS causes gangrene. If injury is extensive & thawing is difficult, try to keep the area frozen. For resort environments, rewarming should be done under medical supervision If injury is small area, field rewarming can be started Rapidly rewarm in warm water (102° to 108°F) Completely immerse the frozen tissue Thaw completely

Deep Frostbite (cont’d) Treatment: post thaw care Prevent refreezing Protect the thawed tissue from trauma Air dry the extremity carefully; don't rub Elevate to reduce swelling Use gauze between fingers/ toes to keep areas dry as swelling occurs. Do not constrict the extremity

Frostbite Summary ….DO’s Have injury rewarmed under medical supervision Stay warm after thawing. Rest the injury (avoid walking on frostbitten feet, etc.). Leave blisters intact & use sterile covering to prevent rupturing. Keep affected part clean to reduce risk of infection. Elevate the area above the heart

Frostbite Summary ….DON’Ts Don't allow thawed injury refreeze as this can cause serious/permanent injury. Best to delay warming Don't use dry heat (sunlamp, heating pad, etc.) to thaw the injured area. Don't rub the area with snow. Avoid alcohol, nicotine, other drugs that may affect blood flow.