Hypothermia, the Diving Reflex,and Survival

ABSTRACTThis paper reviews the contributions of hypothermia and the mammalian diving reflex (MDR) to human excerpt of cold-water immersion mishaps. It also exa mines the carnal knowledgeship surrounded by the victims mount up and MDR and considers the protective quality played by hypothermia. Hypothermia is the result of a flash back metabolic rate and lowered group O consumption by body tissues. Although hypothermia whitethorn produce fatal cardiac arrhythmias such(prenominal) as ventricular fibrillation, it is also associated with bradycardia and off-base vasoconstriction, twain of which vomit up oxygen supply to the heart and brain. The MDR also pees bradycardia and cut back peripheral blood flow as well as laryngospasm, which protects victims against speedy inhalation of water. Studies of drowning and near drowning of children and adults suggest that victim survival depends on the presence of both hypothermia and the MDR, as neither completely cigaret show a dequate cerebral protection during pine periods of hypoxia. futurity research is suggested to improve patient administer. INTRODUCTIONDrowning and near-drowning incidents are specking causes of mortality rate and morbidity in both children and adults . Over the past 30 years, there has been considerable interest in cold-water immersion incidents, inquisitively the reasons for the survival of some victims under seemingly fatal conditions. inquiry suggests that both hypothermia and a ?mammalian diving reflex? (MDR) whitethorn account for survival in many a(prenominal) near-drowning episodes However, the extent to which these both processes interact is not widey understood. Controversy also exists regarding the centre of the victims age on the physiological responses to cold-water immersion. In this paper, I go away an overview of recent research on the protective value of hypothermia and the MDR in cold-water immersions. I also examine hypotheses concerning the resul tants of age on these processes and conclude! with suggestions almost future lines of research that may lead to improved patient care. Hypoxia during drowning and near-drowning incidentsThe major physiological problem confront drowning victims is hypoxia, or neglect of adequate oxygen perfusion to body cells. Hypoxia results in footing to many organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and intestines. Generally, the length of beat the body has been deprive of oxygen is tight related to patient prognosis. Only 6-7 s of hypoxia may cause unconsciousness; if hypoxia lasts longer than 5 min at comparatively warm temperatures, death or permanent brain damage may result. However, some victims of cold-water immersion maintain survived after periods of oxygen deprivation lasting up to 2 h. CONCLUSIONSRecent research on cold-water immersion incidents has provided a better judgement of the physiological processes occurring during drowning and near-drowning accidents. topical findings suggest that the cooperative effe ct of the MDR and hypothermia plays a critical role in patient survival during a cold-water immersion incident . However, the relationship between the two processes is mum unclear. Because it is impossible to provide an exact reproduction of a ill-tempered drowning incident inside the laboratory, research is hampered by the lack of hump details. Consequently, it is difficult to mould comparisons among published case studies.

More commit and accurate enfranchisement of cold-water immersion incidents--including time of submersion; time of recovery; and a profile of the victim including age, sex, and physical cond ition--will comfort easier comparison of nonpareil-! on-one situations and lead to a more put down knowledge of the processes affecting long-term survival rates for drowning victims. at one time we have a clearer understanding of the relationship between hypothermia and the MDR--and of the effect of such factors as the age of the victim--physicians and rescue force-out plunder take steps to improve patient care at the scene and in the hospital. Cited References1. Kallas HJ, O?Rourke PP. Drowning and immersion injuries in children. Curr Opin Pediatr. 1993;5(3):295-302. 2. Keatinge WR. inadvertent immersion hypothermia and drowning. Practitioner 1997;219(1310):183-187. 3. Gooden BA. Why some mess do not drown?hypothermia versus the diving response. Med J Aust. 1992;157(9):629-632. 4. Biggart MJ, Bohn DJ. force-out of hypothermia and cardiac arrest on outcome of near-drowning accidents in children. J Pediatr. 1999;117(2 Pt 1):179-183. 5. Gooden BA. Drowning and the diving reflex in man. Med J Aust. 1972;2(11):583-587. 6. Bierens J J, cutting edge der Velde EA. dousing in the Netherlands: prognostic indicators and the results of resuscitation. Ann Emerg Med. 1999;19(12):1390-1395. 7. Ramey CA, Ramey DN, Hayward JS. Dive response of children in relation to cold-water near drowning. J Appl Physiol. 1987;62(2):665-688. If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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