High altitude changes in mountaineers. Part A: Overnight urinary volume and some serum values in mountaineers during active expedition

Abstract

The study included student mountaineers at Banaras Hindu University who attended the II, III and IV mountaineering expedition of the University of in the 'Lahaul Spithi' district of Himanchal Pradesh. Participants included 19, 22 and 23 members respectively. The mean serum urea levels recorded at 6000, 12,000 and 18,000 feet were 20.35 ± 2.12, 23.25 ± 3.04 and 27.70 ± 3.64 mg% respectively. The respective mean serum creatinine values were 0.76 ± 0.14, 0.87 ± 0.13 and 1.064 ± 0.12 mg% at the 3 above mentioned heights. The 12 hour overnight urinary output had increased progressively with the height up to the 12,000 feet in 15 (78.94%), 16 (72.72%) and 18 (78.26%) cases respectively and decreased in the majority at and near the submit. The mean overnight volume was 866.24 ± 199.52 ml, 105826 ± 205.51 and 700.70 ± 149.37 ml at 6,000, 12,000 and 18,000 feet respectively.