Category Archives: Medicine

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High Altitude, Medicine, Mountaineering

La Paz: Healthy Living At 12,000 feet

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Dr Gustavo Zubieta-Calleja explains how lessons learned in La Paz can make space exploration easier

I just returned from the “Chronic Hypoxia” conference in La Paz, Bolivia at 12,000 feet elevation (3,640 m). The sponsor and organizers were Drs. Gustavo Zubieta-Calleja and his daughter Natalia Zubieta De Urioste who run the Institute of High Altitude Pulmonology and Pathology there. Presenters and attendees came from 16 countries covering topics ranging from molecular biology to genetics.
Dr. Zubieta previously published a scientific analysis of centenarians living at various altitudes. He compared Santa Cruz, Bolivia, at sea level, with La Paz/El Alto, each with populations of over three million, and found there are eight times more people over 100 years old at high altitude. (BLDE University Journal of Health Sciences, see blog post 1/5/18) Since his father Gustavo Zubieto Castillo founded the institute in 1970, they have been advocates of the health promoting effects of a low oxygen environment.
A presentation on “BioSpaceForming” even identifies chronic hypoxia as a “fundamental tool”, that “gives humans and other species an advantage on earth and beyond.” Dr Zubieta explained that the space station is engineered to have the barometric pressure (760 mmHg) and oxygen content of sea level. When the astronauts change into their space suits to work outside the ship they experience a pressure drop of over 200 mm Hg in a laborious process of donning the suit. Seeing that millions of inhabitants are healthy at 486 mm HG in Bolivia, he advocates that maintaining lower pressures and lower oxygen levels in the space station would be economical and promote the health of the astronauts. Several altitude scientists see this as a future that “uncouples biology and physics.

Acclimation, Medicine

Life Threatening Causes of Low Oxygen At Altitude

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Anyone who travels to areas of high altitude is at risk for high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Classic HAPE symptoms include a worsening cough and shortness of breath with activity leading eventually to trouble breathing at rest. If left untreated, serious complications can occur. Many other conditions can mimic HAPE, and it is crucial for health care professionals to be able to distinguish between HAPE and other disorders. Illnesses that may present similarly to HAPE include pneumonia, a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. Health care providers take a thorough history which along with the physical exam, blood tests and imaging help narrow the diagnostic possibilities.

  • Pneumonia: In both HAPE and pneumonia, shortness
    of breath, fast breathing, and a fever occur. Normal oxygen saturations are above 90%. In our experience, patients with pneumonia at altitude do not have low oxygen, unless complicated by HAPE, when it can be as low as 37%. Patients with pneumonia feel a lot worse than those with
    HAPE. HAPE typically responds to high flow oxygen showing rapid improvement over a few hours. Pneumonia with low oxygen saturations will lead to immediate hospitalization.
  • COPD/Asthma: High altitudes may exacerbate COPD or asthma. How providers tell the differences is through something called
    pulmonary function tests. This tests how well your lungs work and involves breathing into a device before and after being given albuterol.
    If the peak flow test improves after the albuterol, then COPD or asthma are the more likely diagnosis. These patients usually improve on medication and do not have to leave the emergency department with oxygen.
    The provider needs to be made aware of any history of COPD , asthma, vaping or smoking.

Miranda Bellantoni, FNP-Student

  1. Luks AM, Swenson ER, Bärtsch P. Acute
    high-altitude sickness. Eur Respir Rev 2017; 26.
  2. UpToDate. Distinguishing HAPE from Pneumonia
    2018.
  3. Brusasco V, Martinez F. Chronic obstructive
    pulmonary disease. Compr Physiol 2014; 4:1.
Child Growth & Development, Health, High Altitude, Medicine

The Mitochondrial advantage at altitude

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Dr. Deborah Liptzen, pediatric pulmonologist from Children’s Hospital of Colorado,

Presents a talk on high altitude to the Ebert Family Clinic staff

I learned several new facts about adaptation to altitude that make us better athletes. First, our muscles have more capillaries to deliver blood to the cells. Second,  the cells have more mitochondria which are organelles involved in the chemistry of respiration and energy production.

Other ways our bodies respond to altitude include: increased breathing rate (instant), increased red blood cells (peaks in three months), hemoglobin in red cells holds on to more oxygen, and blood vessels in the lungs constrict (immediate).It is this constriction of blood vessels in the lungs that can go haywire putting pressure on the capillaries causing fluid leaks that lead to pulmonary edema or HAPE.

High Altitude, Medicine

Altitude research partnership with University of Heidelberg and University of California in San Diego

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Two of the most prominent centers for altitude research in the world are University of Heidelberg, led by Peter Bartsch MD and                                                                                                               University of California in San Diego, with John West MD.

Dr Christine Ebert-Santos met with five of their affiliated researchers while in San Diego where she presented her case on                                                                                                                    trauma and HAPE at the American Thoracic Society conference.

They are interested in partnering with Ebert Family Clinic for a study related

to the genetics of high altitude, using our area as an intermediate altitude location.

Photo of Dr. Chris with UCSD staff  Tatum Simonson PhD, facing, Jeremy Orr MD, behind her,

Jeremy Sieker MD PhD candidate from Colorado, and University of Heidelberg staff  Heimo Mairbaurl PhD and Christina Eichstaedt PhD

Health, High Altitude, Medicine

It’s so exciting to be CITED!

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Today I opened the March 2018 issue of the Journal of High Altitude Medicine and Biology.

What a surprise!

My publication  was cited in an article on pulmonary edema in children written by professors in the pulmonary department at Children’s Hospital of Colorado!  This is actually the first indication I’ve had that anyone beside me believes in the entity I called Mountain resident HAPE in the article published in the same journal last September.

Dr. Liptzin and her colleagues wrote, “We briefly describe high-altitude illnesses and propose recommendations for evaluation and treatment of HAPE in children as well as investigate the underlying contributors to HAPE. We discuss high-altitude resident pulmonary edema (HARPE), a new entity (Ebert-Santos, 2017). We will also highlight areas for further research.” The authors do not recommend prophylactic treatment for HAPE. Rather they recommend that when symptoms develop, supplemental oxygen be applied and  descent to lower altitude.

Child Growth & Development, Medicine

Pediatrics Gun Storage Practices

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The American Academy of Pediatrics published a new study titled “Firearm Storage in Homes with Children with Self-Harm Risk Factors.” The conclusion of this article was that parent’s decision to have firearms in the home as well as their storage practices were not influenced by the presence of a child with a mental health condition in the home. The study was comprised of a web-based survey, which was completed by parents of 3,949 households in the US. The results showed that approximately 42% of households that contained children confirmed having a firearm in the house. This percentage did not change when comparing household in which children with mental health reside to those whose children had no mental health issues. The study also showed that of those parents/ caregivers who own firearms only 1 in 3 stored all firearms locked and unloaded. This ratio did differ between households that contained children with mental health issues versus those that did not.

This study led me to question the role of pediatrics in determining the ownership and storage of firearms in homes with children. At every well child visit for children above a certain age we ask if there are any firearms in the house and if so, how are they stored. I found myself wondering “Have studies shown a decrease in injury by firearms following pediatrician intervention and education?” A study published in 2000 concluded that “a single firearm safety counseling session during well child care combined with economic incentives to purchase safe storage devices, did not lead to changes in household gun ownership and did not lead to statistically significant overall changes in storage patterns.” However a randomized controlled trial published more recently, in 2008, concluded that a brief office-based violence prevention approach resulted in increased safe firearm storage.

The American Academy of Pediatrics first issued guidelines in 1992 noting that the safest home for a child is one without firearms. These guidelines also note that if firearms are going to be in households they should be locked and unloaded with ammunition stored separately. I grew up in a house of avid hunters and gun owners and I can just hear them saying, “What good is a gun in the case of an intruder if it is not immediately accessible?” One study in the Journal of Trauma found that “guns kept in homes are more likely to be involved in a fatal or nonfatal accidental shooting, criminal assault, or suicide attempt than to be used to injure or kill in self-defense.” This article claims that the benefit of having a gun in the house for self-defense does not outweigh the risk of accidental injury by that same “protective” weapon. Other’s who advocate for firearm use and ownership claim that if children are properly educated and trained in gun safety there would be less accidental shootings. However, one study published in 2002 had children participate in a weeklong firearm safety program on reducing children’s play with firearms. Following this training period the children were exposed to an unloaded firearm. 53% of the children played with the gun as if it was a toy gun. This study cast doubt on the effectiveness of skills-based gun safety programs for children.

I recognize that it would be naïve of me to think that every gun owner with children in the house is going to forfeit his or her right to their firearms because of this data. That is why there are important organizations such as Project Childsafe (http://www.projectchildsafe.org/parents-and-gun-owners) that cater towards gun owners. This organization provides comprehensive information about gun safety in the home and offers free resources such as cable-style gunlocks to further protect children in their homes.

Jocelyn Rathbone PA-S

References:
Scott J, Azrael D, Miller M. Firearm Storage in Homes With Children With Self-Harm Risk Factors. Pediatrics 2018 March; 141(3): e20172600. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
Kellermann AL, Somes G, Rivara FP, Lee RK, Banton JG. Injuries and deaths due to firearms in the home. J Trauma. 1998 Aug; 45(2):263-267. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
Barkin SL, Finch SA, Ip EH, Scheindlin B, Craig JA, Steffes J, Weiley V, Slora E, Altman D, Wasserman RC. Is office-based counseling about media use, timeouts, and firearm storage effective? Results from a cluster-randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2008; 122(1): e15. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
Grossman DC, Cummings P, Koepsell TD, Marshall J, D’Ambrosio L, Thompson RS, Mack C. Firearm safety counseling in primary care pediatrics: a randomized,  controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2000; 106(1 Pt1): 22. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
Hardy MS. Teaching firearm safety to children: a failure of a program. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2002;23(2):71. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
Gill AC, Wesson DE. Firearm Injuries in Children: Prevention. UptoDate. Literature review current through Feb 2018. Last updated March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.

High Altitude, Medicine

Trauma Related High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema

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HAPE Poster

Dr. Chris will be presenting this poster at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in San Diego in May of this year! This is an exciting opportunity that will spread knowledge of high altitude medicine with the leading researchers in the field. In addition, she hopes to have this case study published to raise awareness among other healthcare providers practicing at any altitude about the potential health complications associated with rapid changes in elevation.

Katie Newton, PA-S
University of St. Francis
Albuquerque, NM

 

Health, High Altitude, Medicine

A Query on Mt Quandary

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A personal story of acute mountain sickness (AMS)

Disturbing the “Locals”

“Race ya down”, my friend Liz took off from the summit of Mt. Quandary. Ahead of us stood a 2 mile scrabble through a boulder field with a 1 mile decent down a winding trail through the forest where we would descend from 14,265’ to 10,850’. In my experience, a 6 mile hike with 3,400 vertical feet was no feat. However, something was different as we approached the cars at the end of the hike. I noticed the start of a headache and I held onto the car to keep myself from swaying while taking off my boots. Thinking this was merely dehydration I finished my 3 liters of water – but that did not help. Once in the car my head continued to throb as we drove over Hoosier pass. Incoherently I mentioned that we should stop for Gatorade but the 64 oz of Gatorade did not abate my symptoms. In fact they worsened, my symptoms included severe dizziness, nausea, and a pounding headache. While my memory was hazy I knew this was not dehydration, maybe this was acute mountain sickness? But how could it be? I was in shape, lived at 5,400’, and this was my 5th 14er that summer. Was it possible to have AMS on the same peak I had climbed just weeks prior?

Standing on the summit of Mt. Quandary

My name is Chris Whitcomb and I am a 3rd year PA student at the University of Colorado. This story is all too familiar for anyone who spends time at elevation. Thankfully by the time we hit Idaho Springs, 7,526’, my symptoms dramatically improved. After reviewing my case and talking it over with my peers I believe that I developed AMS with some elements of HACE mixed in. A quick calculation of the Lake Louise Score came in at 6, which would classify this episode as “severe AMS”.

Who is most susceptible to AMS?

A prospective study analyzed a total of 11,182 workers on the Quighai-Tibet railroad in Tibet. This study identified 6 independent risk factors for AMS such as: rapid ascent to elevations above 3500 m (11482’), sea-level or lowland newcomers, young people of age, heavy physical exertion, obesity, or SaO2 below 801.  Another study in 2013 looked into various other predictive indexes for AMS and found that the level of activity (higher activity) and sex (male>female) lead to increased odds of AMS 2. A quick review of the above criteria showed that I was the perfect demographic for AMS. I am a young male who was exerting myself physically at altitude.

Will this stop me from hiking at elevation?

Not one chance! Last summer alone my wife and I backpacked and hiked over 250 miles in Colorado. Since the incident I now make sure that I have the ability to seek lower elevation if needed during all our outdoor adventures. I also pay close attention to how I am feeling as we ascend.

Should I take acetazolamine/Diamox before backpacking trips because of my past AMS episode?

A meta-analysis in 2015 looked at 7021 individuals to see if a past episode of AMS warranted medication to prevent future AMS episodes. Interestingly enough they found that the literature did not support it. This was in part due to the sporadic nature of AMS 3. I personally do not take a prophylactic medication before hiking at elevation, but this would be a great conversation to have with your medical provider if you are at all concerned.

Chris Whitcomb, PA-S3
University of Colorado
Class of 2018

References

  1. Wu TY, Ding SQ, Liu JL, Jia JH, Chai ZC, Dai RC. Who are more at risk for acute mountain sickness: a prospective study in Qinghai-Tibet railroad construction workers on Mt. Tanggula. Chin Med J. 2012;125(8):1393-400.
  2. Beidleman BA, Tighiouart H, Schmid CH, Fulco CS, Muza SR. Predictive models of acute mountain sickness after rapid ascent to various altitudes. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2013;45(4):792-800.
  3. Macinnis MJ, Lohse KR, Strong JK, Koehle MS. Is previous history a reliable predictor for acute mountain sickness susceptibility? A meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(2):69-75.
Health, High Altitude, Medicine

High Altitude Increases Longevity!

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A new study completed by Gustavo R. Zubieta-Calleja based out of La Paz Bolivia has shown that residents of high altitude live longer and healthier lives then their sea-level companions. According to the study there are several things that high altitude offers that contribute to increased longevity of residents. Residents at high altitudes have adapted to life with less oxygen (hypoxia) thus enabling their bodies to be more suited for a longer life. The study also points out that at higher altitudes there is less of an occurrence of asthma and other lung diseases, this can be attributed to the dryness of the air and the abundance of sunshine typically found at higher altitudes.

Dr. Zubieta-Calleja goes on to point out that living at high altitude can improve longevity in many other ways as well.

  •  It alters the genetic make up populations, making them stronger and more suited to difficult living conditions
  • High altitude residents are less susceptible to many diseases that sea-level residents need to be concerned with as well. This is due to the lack of mosquitos and many other disease-carrying             insects that are unable to survive at high altitude.
  • Increased exposure to sunshine increases the bodies Vitamin D levels providing us with benefits to our hearts and well as reducing our risk of some cancers.
  • High altitude also helps our hearts become stronger, thus working more effectively, while also increasing blood flow to our body and brains.
  •  The decrease in oxygen level at high altitude helps our lungs work more effectively and increases our ventilation.

Dr. Zubieta-Calleja’s research has shown that there are more residents over 90 and 100 years of age at high altitude then there are at comparable populations at sea-level. The study compared the city of Santa Cruz Bolivia with an elevation of 416m to La Paz Bolivia with an elevation of 3800m, both cities have a population around 2.7 million people. In Santa Cruz there were 158 residents older than 90 years of age verses 974 residents older than 90 in La Paz. The trend continues for those over 100 years of age as well. In Santa Cruz there are 6 residents over 100 years of age verses 48 residents older than 100 in La Paz. Dr. Zubieta-Calleja’s study shows that as altitude increases so does longevity.

 

 

Dr. Chris’ parents! Both in their 90’s and are happy residents of high altitude living.

 

Written by Rhea Teasley-Bennett FNP student

 

Reference

 

Zubieta-Calleja, G.R., & Zubieta-DeUrioste, N.A. (2017). Extended longevity at high altitude: Benefits of exposure to chronic hypoxia. BLDE University Journal of Health Sciences. 

Acclimation, Health, High Altitude, Medicine

Chronic Mountain Sickness

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Avinell Abdool

 

Chronic Mountain Sickness (CMS) is a pathological finding that is commonly found amongst individuals that have taken up permanent residence in high altitude environments (altitudes of over 8,200 feet)1. Clinical manifestations of CMS include but are not limited to the following1;

  • HA
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Breathlessness
  • Palpitations
  • Sleep Disturbances
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Confusion
  • Cyanosis
  • Dilation of veins

 

CMS is the outcome of progressive loss of ventilation rate, which subsequently results in hypoxemia and polycythemia2. Polycythemia is defined as by excessive erythrocytosis (EE; Hb >/= 19g/dL for women and Hb >/= 21 g/dL for men) which along with a hypoxic environment can result in pulmonary hypertension2. In advanced conditions of Chronic Mountain Sickness there can be cor-pulmonlae and congestive heart failure2 .

A study was conducted in the University of San Diego by Dr. Gabriel Haddad that researched the adaption of the Peruvian population in high altitude conditions3. It was found that CMS is highest in the Andeans (approximately 18 %), lesser in Tibetans (1%-11%) and completely absent in the Ethiopian population3. From these data points it appeared that there was was a genetic correlation between CMS sufferers and ethnicity3. In addition, this finding added another factor that mystified the conclusive pathogenesis of CMS3. By understanding exact pathogenesis of CMS, it would not only benefit those who are at potential risk for the disease but also those living at sea level, where hypoxia plays a role in certain pathology ( such as stroke, cardiac ischemia, Obstructive sleep apnea and Sickle Cell Disease)3 .

A cohort of 94 individuals were gathered and were equally categorized into CMS and non CMS subjects3. These individuals originated from Cerro de Pasco, which has an elevation of greater than 14,000 feet3. Genetic tools and a custom algorithm were utilized and the researchers identified 11 regions on the genome that contained 38 genes that proved to be statistically significant3. Nine of the eleven genes were tested in fruit flies in hypoxic experiments3. The experiment consisted of fruit flies that had these genes and ones that did not have the genes3. It was concluded that individuals with these molecular adaptions were better able to adapt to physiological stress such as hypoxia when compared to individuals that did not have this adaption3. The results of this study allowed researchers to better understand the correlation between genetics and individuals who strive in hypoxic environments3.

 

 

Figure 1- D.melanogaster (fruit fly)3

 

 

Figure 2-Cerro de Pasco3

 

Bibliography

 

  1. Villafuerte FC, Corante N. Chronic Mountain Sickness: Clinical Aspects, Etiology, Management, and Treatment. High Altitude Medicine & Biology. 2016;17(2):61-69. doi:10.1089/ham.2016.0031.
  2. Chronic mountain sickness and high altitude pulmonary hypertension. High Altitude Medicine and Physiology 5E. 2012:333-346. doi:10.1201/b13633-23.
  3. Stobdan T, Akbari A, Azad P, et al. New Insights into the Genetic Basis of Monges Disease and Adaptation to High-Altitude. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 2017. doi:10.1093/molbev/msx239.