Acta Biomedica Scientifica (Apr 2013)
LOW COEFFICIENT CAUSES AND MECHANISMS OF USING OXYGEN IN HUMAN LUNGS IN THE FAR NORTH
Abstract
The results analysis of studying the adaptation mechanisms of the cardio-respiratory system to the extreme conditions of Far North are represented in this article, as well as the preventive measures which may reduce their unfavourable effects are suggested. The cold and low content of water vapors in the atmosphere which are characteristic to the high latitudes and which may decrease in the gas metabolism efficiency in the respiratory organs and may be considered as the leading link of the respiratory organ changes are known to be the mainfactors of the natural environment which may influence on the functional state of the human organism. The organism adaptation process features to the extreme weather conditions of Far North are known to consist in the morphological and functional changes in the respiratory organs, in particular, in increase in the area of the alveolar lung surface on the average by 24 % and the lung capillary volume - by 39 %. The increase in the systolic pressure in the lung artery higher than 30 mm of mercury column is also known to be process feature of the adaptation to the extreme weather conditions of Far North. This may form the clinical-morphological complex specific to the high latitudes. The adaptation to the extreme climatic conditions of North was found to run via some stages. The increase in the functional reserves and the area of the gas metabolism due to the additional alveolar uncovering in the upper and middle lung zones may occur during the period of the initial adaptation to the cold. During the long-term residence in North (more than 10-15 years) the capability of the further increase in the adaptive organism reserves is known to be exhausted and the increase in the gas metabolism area may be observed mainly due to the morphological changes. The gas diffusion disorder via the alveolar-capillary lung membrane may promote the development of hypoxemia, to the decrease of which all the compensatory mechanisms of the respiratory system are finally activated. The long-term hypoxemia which may be aggravated during the cold period was found to increase in the free radical process and to decrease in the content of the organism antioxidants. That's why, the large physical overloads, smoking, the cold may lead to the aggravation of the hypoxemia and to the increase in the pathological changes in the lung tissue which in turn may stipulate the after appearance of the acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory organs which may be very painful. Even for the practically healthy residents of Zapolarya the occurrence of the short-wind and increased tiredness in performing the daily activity may be typical. Thereby, the function change of the external respiration is characteristic to both the native population of North and to the migrants. As the preventive measure, performing the short-term courses of taking the high does of food antioxidants during the winter period, keeping the optimal temperature and moisture regimes in the living and production rooms as well as using the means of the individual protection for the respiratory organs are suggested.
