Altitude, a history of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), rate of ascent and lack of acclimatization are some well established risk factors for developing AMS. Another risk factor is cigarette smoking, which is particularly interesting because it is modifiable. Previous findings in regard to smoking and AMS have been quite variable. A recent study published in […]

Physical exertion in high temperatures forces the body to adapt to the heat stress. The physiological response can reach a limit at which the advantages do not weigh up to the disadvantages of this response. At this point heat-related illnesses like heat cramp, syncope, exhaustion and stroke can develop. Symptoms of heat exhaustion are thirst, […]

De beelden van de ramp in Nepal hebben veel indruk gemaakt. Voor de wederopbouw is veel geld nodig en daar willen wij graag aan bijdragen door het organiseren van dit symposium. De opbrengst wordt gedoneerd aan Artsen zonder Grenzen ten behoeve van de wederopbouw en medisch noodhulp in Nepal. Naast uw toegangskaart kunt u ook […]

This week we asked you whether you should start with chest compressions or rescue breaths when you are performing CPR on a lightning victim. We will explain you why rescue breaths are the best approach.  When struck by lightning the current can cause a simultaneous cardiac and respiratory arrest. Due to cardiac automaticity the heart […]

By Anne Brants, Emergency Physician and co-founder Outdoor Medicine So when I mentioned basecamp is ready for the next step, I didn’t mean a natural disaster. When the ground started to shake I was in a camp below mine. The expedition leader was reassuring people when we saw a big snow avalanche coming towards us. […]