Vocab Test

Acclimatization: The process by which the body gradually adjusts to changes in its environment, such as altitude or temperature, to maintain performance and reduce the risk of related illnesses.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): A condition that can occur when ascending to high altitudes too quickly, characterized by symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.

Basal Cell Cancer: A type of skin cancer that originates from the basal cells in the skin’s outer layer. It is often caused by prolonged exposure to UV radiation.

Conductive Heat Exchange: The transfer of heat between a body and a substance it is in contact with, such as heat loss to a cold surface or heat gain from a warm one.

Convective Heat Exchange: The transfer of heat between a body and a moving fluid (air or water) that surrounds it. For example, wind can increase heat loss from the body.

Dehydration: A condition resulting from the excessive loss of fluids from the body, which can impair physical performance and lead to serious health issues.

Electrolyte: Minerals in the body fluids that carry an electric charge, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, which are essential for various bodily functions including nerve and muscle activity.

Evaporative Heat Loss: The process by which heat is lost through the evaporation of sweat from the skin’s surface, which helps to cool the body.

Frostbite: A condition caused by the freezing of body tissues, usually extremities, resulting in numbness, discoloration, and potential tissue damage.

Heat Cramps: Painful muscle contractions that occur during or after intense physical activity in hot environments, often due to electrolyte imbalances and dehydration.

Heat Exhaustion: A heat-related illness resulting from prolonged exposure to high temperatures, characterized by symptoms like heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea.

Heat Rash: A skin condition that occurs when sweat ducts become blocked, leading to red, itchy bumps or blisters on the skin, commonly in hot and humid conditions.

Heat Stroke: A severe and potentially life-threatening heat-related illness that occurs when the body’s core temperature rises above 104°F (40°C), leading to confusion, loss of consciousness, and organ damage.

Heat Syncope: A type of fainting that occurs due to heat exposure and dehydration, typically resulting in temporary loss of consciousness.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): A severe form of altitude sickness characterized by swelling of the brain, leading to confusion, loss of coordination, and potentially coma.

High Altitude Headache: A headache that occurs as a result of rapid ascent to high altitudes, often associated with symptoms of acute mountain sickness.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): A serious condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs at high altitudes, causing symptoms like shortness of breath, cough, and fatigue.

Hyponatremia: A condition characterized by abnormally low sodium levels in the blood, often due to excessive fluid intake without adequate electrolyte replacement.

Hypothermia: A dangerous condition where the body’s core temperature drops below 95°F (35°C) due to prolonged exposure to cold environments, leading to confusion, shivering, and impaired physical function.

Melanoma: A serious form of skin cancer that originates in the melanocytes (pigment-producing cells), often associated with intense UV exposure and usually appearing as a new or changing mole.

Metabolic Heat Production: The heat generated by the body’s metabolic processes, particularly during physical activity, which can affect body temperature regulation.

Psychrometer: An instrument used to measure the humidity in the air, typically consisting of a wet-bulb and dry-bulb thermometer.

Radiant Heat Exchange: The transfer of heat between a body and its surroundings through radiation, such as heat from the sun or from a hot surface.

Relative Humidity: The percentage of moisture in the air relative to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at a given temperature.

Rhabdomyolysis: A condition characterized by the breakdown of muscle tissue, which can release toxins into the bloodstream and lead to kidney damage, often due to intense physical exertion or trauma.

Sickle Cell Trait: A genetic condition where a person carries one copy of the sickle cell gene but does not have the full-blown disease. It can affect oxygen transport and increase susceptibility to certain conditions, especially under extreme physical stress.

Squamous Cell Cancer: A type of skin cancer originating from the squamous cells in the skin's outer layer, often related to sun exposure and can also occur in other epithelial tissues.

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT): An index used to measure heat stress in direct sunlight, taking into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation, to assess the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Acclimatization

Acute mountain sickness

Basal cell cancer

Conductive heat exchange

Convective heat exchange

Dehydration

Electrolyte

Evaporative heat loss

Frostbite

Heat cramps

Heat exhaustion

Heat rash

Heat stroke

Heat syncope

High Altitude cerebral edema

High altitude headache

High altitude pulmonary edema

Hyponatremia

Hypothermia

Melanoma

Metabolic heat production

Psychrometer

Radiant heat exchange

Relative humidity

Rhabdomyolysis

Sickle cell trait

Squamous cell cancer

Wet bulb globe temperature