Altitude sickness

Acetazolamide is a weak diuretic with limited use in edema associated with cardiac insufficiency, glaucoma, minor epileptic attacks, and altitude sickness. Synonyms of this drag are midamor, modamide, cetazol, diamox, dicarb, and others. 

The medicinal and ceremonial uses of cocaine via coca leaves can be traced back over 4,000 years to pre-Columbian times. It continues to be used legally and is part of the daily culture of South American Indians. Coca leaves are chewed to combat fatigue and to ward off hunger. They are also used to alleviate problems of the larynx, digestive system, metabolism of carbohydrates, vertigo, altitude sickness, and for psychological ills. 

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as dorzo-lamide (Trusopt) and dichlorphenamide (Daranide) are used to treat glaucoma patients and altitude sickness. Acetazolamide (Diamox), a carbonic anhydrase... 

The control of pH is vital in many applications. The pH of human blood must be within the narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45 to ensure survival. Acidosis, a decrease in the pH of the blood, can be brought on by diabetes, heart failure, and kidney failure. Alkalosis, an increase in the pH of the blood, is symptomatic of altitude sickness, hyperventilation, and vomiting. A blood pH outside the normal values presents a serious health crisis. 

Cocaine (see also Local anaesthetics, p. 422) use is a widespread and ancient practice amongst South American peasants who chew coca leaves with lime to release the alkaloid. It is claimed to give relief from fatigue and himger from altitude sickness in the Andes, experienced even by natives when journeying by car or other fast transportation and also to induce a pleasant introverted mental state. 

Bihl G, Meyers A 2001 Recurrent renal stone disease — advances in pathogenesis and clinical management. Lancet 358 651-656 Brater D C 1998 Diuretic therapy. New England Journal of Medicine 339 387-395 Dumont L, Mardirosoff C, Tramer MR 2000 Efficacy and harm of pharmacological prevention of acute mountain sickness quantitative review. British Medical Journal 321 267-272 Hackett P H, Roach R C 2001 High-altitude sickness. 

Acute mountain/altitude sickness, to reduce cerebral oedema. 

Altitude sickness PO 250 mg two to four times/day. If possible begin 24-48 hours before ascent continue for at least 48 hours at high altitude as needed to control symptom... 

C. Clinical Uses The major application of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors is in the treatment of glaucoma. Acetazolamide must be administered orally, but topical analogs are now available (dorzolamide, brinzolamide) for use in the eye. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are also used to prevent acute mountain (high-altitude) sickness. These agents are used for their diuretic effect only if edema is accompanied by significant metabolic alkalosis. 

A drug that is useful in glaucoma and high-altitude sickness is... 

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are useful in glaucoma and altitude sickness. The answer is (A). Spironolactone is an aldosterone receptor antagonist, acts intracellularly in the cortical collecting tubule, and causes potassium retention. The answer is (E). 

What causes high-altitude sickness, and what is high-altitude acclimatization ... 

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