Publications by authors named "Maren GraSS"

Background: High-altitude tourist trekking continues to grow in popularity on the Everest Trek in Nepal. We examined which pre-existing cardiovascular and health conditions these global trekkers had and what health issues they encountered during the trek, be it exacerbations of pre-existing conditions, or new acute ones.

Method: Trekkers ( = 350) were recruited from guesthouses along the Everest Trek, mostly at Tengboche (3860 m).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Trekking to high-altitude locations presents inherent health-related hazards, many of which can managed with specific first aid (FA) training. This study evaluates the trip preparation, FA knowledge, and FA self-assessment of trekkers (organized by tour operators vs. individually planned tours).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: At altitudes above 2500 m, the risk of developing high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) grows with the increases in pulmonary arterial pressure. HAPE is characterized by severe pulmonary hypertension, though the incidence and relevance of individual risk factors are not yet predictable. However, the systolic pulmonary pressure (SPAP) and peak in tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TVR) are crucial factors when diagnosing pulmonary hypertension by echocardiography.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: To evaluate the drinking water quality in the popular trekking area of Solu-Khumbu Mt. Everest region as a possible source for the high incidence of diarrhea.

Material And Methods: Drinking water samples (n = 80) were collected from whatever primary source the locals/tourists used at altitudes 2,608 to 5,180m; and where possible, also from inside households.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The study investigates the diagnoses of inpatients (tourists and Nepali workers) of Kunde Hospital (Mt.Everest region) over 15 years.

Methods: Records from January 1996 to September 2011 were analyzed concerning date, gender, age group, nationality, purpose of visit, diagnosis, length of treatment, and condition at discharge.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF