Wilderness & environmental medicine
-
Wilderness Environ Med · Jan 2004
Reported knowledge, perceptions, and behavior of tourists and North Queensland residents at risk of contact with jellyfish that cause the "Irukandji syndrome".
To determine the knowledge, beliefs, and behavior of local residents and visitors to North Queensland who may be at risk of contact with "Irukandji" jellyfish. ⋯ International tourists had little knowledge about Irukandji. Thus, accurate educational messages may need to be targeted at this group. Offshore water sport and reef tour operators should be encouraged to provide clients with protective clothing to minimize the risk of stings. A coordinated educational response across northern Australia may be necessary to inform the public about both the box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) and Irukandji.
-
Wilderness Environ Med · Jan 2004
Review Case ReportsAirway compromise after first rattlesnake envenomation.
The purpose of this report is to describe an unusual presentation of anaphylaxis after first-time rattlesnake envenomation. A patient on a medical toxicology inpatient service is presented who had signs of anaphylaxis, including airway compromise, after first-time rattlesnake envenomation. ⋯ The patient's recovery was prolonged. In conclusion, rattlesnake envenomation may result in rapidly progressive airway compromise, possibly caused by anaphylaxis in patients with previous dermal or gastrointestinal exposure to snake proteins.
-
Wilderness Environ Med · Jan 2004
Symptoms of pulmonary blastomycosis: northern Wisconsin, United States.
Pulmonary disease is the most common manifestation of the systemic fungal infection, blastomycosis. This study examines symptoms of pulmonary blastomycosis and possible age and gender differences in a 22-year case series. ⋯ Cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss, chest pain, dyspnea, and aches are common symptoms of pulmonary blastomycosis. Symptom constellations that included fever were less common in men 50 years of age and older. There was no apparent difference in symptoms between acute and chronic blastomycosis.
-
Wilderness Environ Med · Jan 2004
Inhibitors of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction prevent high-altitude pulmonary edema in rats.
Rapid ascent to high altitude causes hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) and leads to high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) in susceptible humans. Vasodilating agents lessen HAPE (as evidenced by radiographic and gas exchange measurements), but data establishing their effectiveness on alveolar protein content and hemorrhage are lacking. This study was designed to assess whether preventing HPV reduces the alveolar-capillary barrier leak characteristic of HAPE. ⋯ The results demonstrate that treatment with NiCl2 or acetazolamide prevents HAPE in rats and are consistent with a role for elevated pulmonary artery pressure in the pathogenesis of HAPE.
-
Wilderness Environ Med · Jan 2004
Biography Historical Article Classical ArticleThe physiology of channel swimmers. 1955.