Wilderness & environmental medicine
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Wilderness Environ Med · Jan 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialMedroxyprogesterone at high altitude. The effects on blood gases, cerebral regional oxygenation, and acute mountain sickness.
To study the effect of medroxyprogesterone on blood gases and cerebral regional oxygenation at high altitude, alone and in conjunction with acetazolamide, and to assess the effect on acute mountain sickness (AMS). ⋯ Medroxyprogesterone acts as a respiratory stimulant, but the clinical benefit regarding the development of AMS was unproven at high altitude. Combined medroxyprogesterone and acetazolamide gave the best PaO2.
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Wilderness Environ Med · Jan 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialEfficacy of a jellyfish sting inhibitor in preventing jellyfish stings in normal volunteers.
To evaluate the protective effects of a jellyfish sting inhibitor formulated in sunscreen lotion vs conventional sunscreen against Chrysaora fuscescens and Chiropsalmus quadrumanus jellyfish. ⋯ The jellyfish sting inhibitor prevented sting symptoms of C. fuscescens jellyfish in 10 of 12 subjects and diminished the pain of the jellyfish sting in the remaining 2 subjects. The jellyfish sting inhibitor also inhibited the more severe sting of the C. quadrumanus jellyfish in the majority of subjects. The jellyfish sting inhibitor does not eliminate the sting from C. fuscescens or C. quadrumanus jellyfish but significantly reduces the frequency and severity of stings.
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Wilderness Environ Med · Jan 2004
ReviewA review of venomous animal bites and stings in pregnant patients.
This is a review of Medline and PubMed articles on venomous animal bites and stings during pregnancy reported in English literature from 1966 to 2002. Eighty-five venomous snakebites were reported in pregnant women. ⋯ Adverse reproductive and teratogenic effects of venoms on gravid animals are also briefly reviewed. Although uncommon, venomous bites and stings during pregnancy may have significant adverse effects on the fetus and the mother.
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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.
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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.