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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Altitude sickness
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Altitude sicknessA potentially fatal illness caused by being at altitudes high enough to reduce the amount of oxygen available to the body.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Oxygen
A chemical element essential for sustaining life.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Altitude illness
"Altitude illness (or altitude sickness) is a disorder caused by being at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 8,000 feet (2,440 meters). The cause of altitude illness is a matter of oxygen physiology. At sea level the concentration of oxygen is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, the concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) the barometric pressure is only 483 mmHg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order to oxygenate the body effectively, your breathing rate (even while at rest) has to increase. This extra ventilation increases the oxygen content in the blood, but not to sea level concentrations. Since the amount of oxygen required for activity is the same, the body must adjust to having less oxygen. In addition, high altitude and lower air pressure cause fluid to leak from the capillaries which can cause fluid build-up in both the lungs and the brain. Continuing to higher altitudes without proper acclimatization can lead to potentially serious, even life-threatening illnesses.
Altitude, acclimatization to
Adjustment to changes in altitude. The main cause of altitude sickness is going too high too fast. Given time, the body can adapt to the decrease in oxygen concentration at a specific altitude, process known as acclimatization.
Altitude, high
Altitude sickness occurs at high altitude.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Albino
A person with albinism.
Albumin
A water-soluble protein found in milk, egg, muscle, blood and many vegetable tissues and fluids.
Aldosteronism
A condition resulting when the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone aldosterone, which regulates fluids and salt in the body.
Alimentary
Having to do with food or nutrition. The alimentary tract is the digestive tract.
Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency
Congenital lack of an enzyme that leads to cirrhosis of the liver and obstructive lung disease.
Altitude sickness
Alveoli
The sacs in the lungs at the ends of the smallest airways where oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the blood.
Ambulatory
Able to walk. Not confined to bed.
Androgen
Any substance that produces male characteristics. Testosterone and androsterone are natural androgens.
Angioma
A noncancerous tumor made up of many blood vessels.
Anomaly
Deviation from normal.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Oxygen
A chemical element essential for sustaining life.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Altitude illness
"Altitude illness (or altitude sickness) is a disorder caused by being at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 8,000 feet (2,440 meters). The cause of altitude illness is a matter of oxygen physiology. At sea level the concentration of oxygen is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, the concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) the barometric pressure is only 483 mmHg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order to oxygenate the body effectively, your breathing rate (even while at rest) has to increase. This extra ventilation increases the oxygen content in the blood, but not to sea level concentrations. Since the amount of oxygen required for activity is the same, the body must adjust to having less oxygen. In addition, high altitude and lower air pressure cause fluid to leak from the capillaries which can cause fluid build-up in both the lungs and the brain. Continuing to higher altitudes without proper acclimatization can lead to potentially serious, even life-threatening illnesses.
Altitude, acclimatization to
Adjustment to changes in altitude. The main cause of altitude sickness is going too high too fast. Given time, the body can adapt to the decrease in oxygen concentration at a specific altitude, process known as acclimatization.
Altitude, high
Altitude sickness occurs at high altitude.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Albino
A person with albinism.
Albumin
A water-soluble protein found in milk, egg, muscle, blood and many vegetable tissues and fluids.
Aldosteronism
A condition resulting when the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone aldosterone, which regulates fluids and salt in the body.
Alimentary
Having to do with food or nutrition. The alimentary tract is the digestive tract.
Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency
Congenital lack of an enzyme that leads to cirrhosis of the liver and obstructive lung disease.
Altitude sickness
Alveoli
The sacs in the lungs at the ends of the smallest airways where oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the blood.
Ambulatory
Able to walk. Not confined to bed.
Androgen
Any substance that produces male characteristics. Testosterone and androsterone are natural androgens.
Angioma
A noncancerous tumor made up of many blood vessels.
Anomaly
Deviation from normal.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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