Please help me answering each of the questions (1-7) for this clinical case: Ala

Question

Please help me answering each of the questions (1-7) for this clinical case:

Alan Forsythe, a middle-aged college professor from Boston, is in the Swiss Alps studying astronomy, during his 1 year sabbatical leave. In the first few days he notices:

     He is short of breath, when he walks up stairs,

     Tires easily with any physical activity

     His symptoms gradually disappear

     Upon returning to the US he has a complete physical exam, and is told that his erythrocyte count is higher than normal.

Questions

1.     What is the term used to name this disorder?

2.     What are the cause and the mechanism behind this finding?

3.     Is this a disease or a normal physiological response?

4.     Will his RBC count remain at this higher-than-normal level?

5.     What complication might happen to a person diagnosed with Primary polycythemia? Why?

6.     How can be treated?

7.     Why must the saline be isotonic?

Explanation / Answer

Low level of oxygen (example, at high altitude or in some diseased condition)

Any tumor in body which is stimulating production of erythropoietin hormone

Increased concentration of RBCs due to dehydration, vomiting, taking diuretics etc.

Taking medicines which increase production of erythrocytes.

The production of erythrocytes majorly depends on functioning of bone marrow, erythropoietin hormone and oxygen availability.

In this case it is secondary polycythemia caused due to high altitude and lack of oxygen as Swiss Alps situated at an high altitude.

3. It is a normal physiological response when there is a need of high oxygen in body example, at high altitude body tries to compensate the oxygen demand by overproduction of erythrocytes.

4. No, his RBC count will not remain at higher level. As soon as he returns to normal altitude and his oxygen demand will be fulfilled normally, his erythrocyte count will return back to normal level after some time.

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