Scientists 'Solve' Mountain Sickness Riddle
Too much pressure causes potentially fatal lung condition
Posted: 2 May 2001
by Jon
Swiss researchers beleive that they now understand the mechanism
behind HAPE - High Altitude Pulmonary Edema - the often fatal
altitude-related condition, according to this
story on outsidemag.com.
The study concludes that the condition, where the lungs fill with
fluid is caused by pressure in the pulmonary artery, which then
increases pressure in pulmonary capillaries, causing them to become
stressed and to eventually leak water into air spaces in the lungs.
Effectively sufferers drown as their lungs fill with fluid.
The scientists involvolved believe that drugs called vasodilators,
which decrease resistance in blood vessels, could therefore be used
to treat the condition, however other experts disagree suggesting
that proper acclimatisation and genetics are the key to avoiding the
condition.
See also:
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/04/010424073929.htm
www.sciam.com/news/042401/3.html
www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=511&sid=652534
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