"Medical Challenges Faced by Soldiers in the Siachen Glacier: An In-depth Overview"
"Medical Challenges Faced by Soldiers in the Siachen Glacier: An In-depth Overview"
Siachen, the highest battlefield in the world, is
not only the highest but also one of the deadliest and costliest. As the toughest terrain on the
planet, even day-to-day activities are a formidable challenge.
Civilian life is unsustainable here. Unfortunately, this icy expanse shares borders with neighboring nations that pose significant threats. Therefore, it is imperative to guard this treacherous terrain. Our soldiers bravely risk their lives in this cold desert, where even the simplest daily tasks become extraordinary challenges.
Medical conditions
Acute mountain sickness
Altitude mountain sickness (AMS) occurs when a person rapidly ascends to high altitudes where air pressure is lower and oxygen levels are reduced. This condition commonly affects individuals who live at lower altitudes and then travel to higher elevations.
However, AMS can be mitigated through acclimatization. Soldiers often undergo acclimatization during their training, which takes place at elevations several meters above sea level.
Despite this, some soldiers still experience mild headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
High Altitude pulmonary edema
In high Altitude due to less availability of oxygen there exists a condition known as hypoxia where tissues get less oxygen which can cause the pulmonary blood vessels to constrict.
Prolonged exposure to low level of oxygen can cause increase the permeability of vessels in the lungs leading to fluid leakage. Reducing the surface area for exchange of gases.
Not all of the soldiers experience this some are genetically predisposed to this condition.
High Altitude cerebral edema
The same hypoxia can causes the increase in pressure of cerebral vessels which causes increase in permeability ofcerabral blood vessels. Leading to fluid leak and accumulation of fluid .
Symptoms of It include
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vertigo
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Slurred speech
- Seizures
- Change in personality can occur
- Cognitive Impairment
- Memory loss
- Vision loss
Frostbite
It is a condition experienced in the extremities due to low perfusion leading to numbness, burning sensation, redness. Deep Frostbite can causes blisters on rewarming.
Timely evacuation is required or otherwise tissue damage may occur which lead to gangrene of the affected area and can end in amputation.
Dehydration
- Mainly due to non stimulation of thirst centres so little of no water intake cause dehydration
- At higher Altitude air is drier which causes more expulsion of moisture on breathing.
- Cold induced diuresis so increased output
- Harsh environmental conditions may limit the availability and accessibility of clean drinking water
Hypothermia
Even with extreme protective gears the cold radiates into the body causing Hypothermia the reason being the temperature.
The average temperature over here is minimum -20°C and maximum -60°C in the winter.
The chilly wind and wet conditions due to rain and being another reason of heat loss
Infection
The physical and mental stress of training, coupled with the effects of high altitude, can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections.
Poor hygiene and food and water contamination living closely with fellow soldiers increases the chance of contagious diseases.
Altitude induced insomnia
All these causes along with stress and anxiety can alter circadian rhytm
After finishing posting
Soldiers experience post traumatic stress disorder charecterised by anxiety, depression
Many of them show quick reaction to even normal activities like shutting of door, falling of glass.
Other problems include muscle weakness, chronic pain in joints and muscles, insomnia,
Some may even develop cardiovascular disease
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