The Circulatory and Respiration

System

By Nurul Washifa binti Ruzlan

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LET SAY THAT A HEALTHY PERSON, MALE, AGED 20-30 YEARS OLD WANTS TO CLIMB MOUNT EVEREST . PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CHANGES IN HIS CIRCULATORY AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEM WHEN HE

a) IS CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN b) WHEN HE REACHED THE HIGHEST PEAK c) IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM

HYPOXIA/HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS SYMPTOMS AND WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT?

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a) IS CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN

Circulatory system An increase in the flow of blood An increase in the ability of the blood to

carry oxygen

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a) IS CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN

Respiratory system An increase in breathing The pressure of oxygen raises in the

lungs, which allows more oxygen to be carried in the blood to vital organs like the brain and muscles

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b) WHEN HE REACHED THE HIGHEST PEAK

Circulatory system• The heart beats faster• The stroke volume is slightly decreased• Non-essential bodily functions are

suppressed

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b) WHEN HE REACHED THE HIGHEST PEAK

Respiratory system• The lack of oxygen is sensed by

the carotid bodies, which causes an increase in the breathing rate (hyperventilation)

• The adverse effect of respiratory alkalosis, inhibiting the respiratory center from enhancing the respiratory rate as much as would be required

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c) IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM HYPOXIA/HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS SYMPTOMS

AND WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT?

Circulatory systemHemoglobin in red cells cannot fully

saturate with oxygen Affect cardiac output

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c) IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM HYPOXIA/HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS SYMPTOMS

AND WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT?

Respiratory system Inadequate amounts of O2 in the alveoliAbnormal breath sounds

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c) IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM HYPOXIA/HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS SYMPTOMS

AND WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT?

The symptoms are:

Acute mountain sickness (AMS)

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)

High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE)

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c) IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM HYPOXIA/HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS SYMPTOMS

AND WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT?

The possible treatments are:AMS Ascend slowly Avoid strenuous efforts at the initial phase

of acclimatization Provide a good hydration ingesting at

least 3 litres of water per day Eat light meals in which carbohydrates

predominate

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c) IF HE WERE TO SUFFER FROM HYPOXIA/HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS. WHAT ARE HIS SYMPTOMS

AND WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE TREATMENT?

The possible treatments are:HAPE Use of nifedipine Inhalation of nitric oxide HACE A slow ascent Good hydration Avoidance of strenuous exercises

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BONUS QUESTION

WOULD IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IS THE CLIMBER

IS THE FEMALE?

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THE ANSWER IS…..

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YES!!!BECAUSE…..Climbing was fundamentally different for

female and maleFemale have far lower levels of muscle-

building hormonesFemale have weak upper body