The Physiology of Acute Mountain Sickness in Women

Abstract

The purpose of these investigations is to determine whether symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) are affected by mensural cycle phase and oral contraceptives in women and whether the severity of AMS differs from men. The experimental test procedures have been selected, tested and performed on 10 subjects. The experiments consist of 12 hours exposures to a simulated altitude of 16,000 ft. Measurements of global and regional (brain magnetic resonance imaging) fluid homeostasis, ventilation, cognitive and autonomic function are emphasized in relation to control measurements and AMS symptoms. Women are tested in luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle, confirmed by progesterone levels, and while on contraceptives and compared with men. Early results (n=10) suggest that a constant urine volume and transcapillary albumin escape rate and a declining plasma volume at altitude are associated with a high tolerance to AMS.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA336848

Entities

People

  • Jack Loeppky

Organizations

  • Lovelace Foundation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Altitude Chambers
  • Blood
  • Blood Volume
  • Data Sets
  • Health Services
  • Heart Rate
  • Magnetic Resonance
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Measurement
  • Medical Personnel
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Physiology
  • Reproductive Control Agents
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional
  • Volume

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Women's Health and Cancer Risk Research: African American Women and Pregnancy Outcomes.