bloodHypobaric hypoxiahypoxiamedicationsHeart failure in men and women: Understanding the differences in symptomsalcohol(With inputs from IANS)For those who enjoy drinking alcohol on flights, a new study has made some shocking revelations.
As altitude increases, the concentration of oxygen molecules in the air decreases, leading to a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs and subsequently in the bloodstream.
This reduction in oxygen availability can have various physiological effects on the body.At high altitudes, individuals may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, nausea, and dizziness as their bodies adapt to the decreased oxygen levels.
Prolonged exposure to hypobaric hypoxia can lead to more severe complications, including altitude sickness, pulmonary edema, and cerebral edema.To mitigate the effects of hypobaric hypoxia, gradual acclimatization to higher altitudes is recommended, allowing the body time to adjust to the reduced oxygen levels.
Supplemental oxygen andsuch as acetazolamide may also be used to alleviate symptoms and facilitate adaptation to high-altitude environments.
blood
Hypobaric hypoxia
hypoxia
medications
Heart failure in men and women: Understanding the differences in symptoms
alcohol
(With inputs from IANS)
For those who enjoy drinking alcohol on flights, a new study has made some shocking revelations. A new study published online in the respiratory journal Thorax, drinking and napping on long haul flights may not be good for the heart, even among the young and healthy as it can lower the amount of oxygen in the(SpO2) and increase the heart rate for a protracted period.Hypobaricrefers to a condition characterized by reduced atmospheric pressure and lower oxygen levels at high altitudes. As altitude increases, the concentration of oxygen molecules in the air decreases, leading to a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs and subsequently in the bloodstream. This reduction in oxygen availability can have various physiological effects on the body.At high altitudes, individuals may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, nausea, and dizziness as their bodies adapt to the decreased oxygen levels. Prolonged exposure to hypobaric hypoxia can lead to more severe complications, including altitude sickness, pulmonary edema, and cerebral edema.To mitigate the effects of hypobaric hypoxia, gradual acclimatization to higher altitudes is recommended, allowing the body time to adjust to the reduced oxygen levels. Supplemental oxygen andsuch as acetazolamide may also be used to alleviate symptoms and facilitate adaptation to high-altitude environments."Consider limitingon long haul flights""Alcohol relaxes blood vessel walls, increasing the heart rate during sleep, an effect similar to that of hypobaric hypoxia," the researchers said, suggesting to "consider limiting alcohol on long haul flights".The study randomly allocated 48 people to two groups -- half were assigned to a sleep lab under normal ambient air pressure conditions (sea level) and half to an altitude chamber that mimicked cabin pressure at cruising altitude (2,438 m above sea level).Twelve in each group slept for 4 hours, having drunk alcohol and not having drunk."The results indicate that, even in young and healthy individuals, the combination of alcohol intake with sleeping under hypobaric conditions poses a considerable strain on the cardiac system and might lead to exacerbation of symptoms in patients with cardiac or pulmonary diseases," said the researchers.
