Health Hazards Remain for Rescued Chilean Miners

(Oct. 13) -- As the 33 trapped Chilean miners are slowly lifted half a mile to the surface of the earth, they're doubtlessly lucky to be escaping with their lives.

The miners are believed to have survived longer underground than anyone in similar circumstances before them. But after 69 days in dark, humid conditions, with little food and no medical care, the group faces a host of health challenges now that they're back above ground.

From the short-term consequences of life 2,000 feet below the earth's surface to the long-term implications of such a grueling physical ordeal, Surge Desk breaks down the physical damage that the Chilean miners will likely have to cope with -- and how they'll get better.

What kind of health problems does living in a mine cause?

Conditions in the mind were hot, humid and cramped: temperatures are estimated at around 100 degrees. With nowhere to seek relief, the miners suffered skin lesions, and many experienced worsening blood pressure and heart problems as their bodies struggled to deal with the stifling temperatures.

Then again, not all the miners seemed to suffer from the heat. Edison Pena, 34, kept himself in peak physical form by running 3 miles a day through the mine tunnels, the BBC is reporting.

Pena, and other miners who reportedly worked out daily to prevent blood clots and muscle atrophy, must be tough cookies. Running in hot, humid conditions can cause heat stroke and life-threatening dehydration.

Did the miners have any health help down there?

Definitely. One miner, Yonni Barrios, is a trained paramedic. He performed urine and blood tests, and even gave the miners flu shots, CNN reports.

The miners also received special clothing to prevent certain health conditions. Clothes that wick away sweat helped prevent skin infections, while specialized socks offered similar protection for the feet.

They were also apparently provided with vitamin supplements, which, with any luck, helped stave off serious Vitamin D deficiency from a lack of sunlight.

What about now that the miners are out?

Their biggest physical problems, in the long run, are likely to be pulmonary. Poor air quality (not to mention those cigarettes!) will trigger asthma, partially collapsed lungs and depress the immune system, which might lead to respiratory infections.

Some of the miners have apparently already developed gingivitis, after going 17 days without brushing their teeth. Combined with poor nutrition, their dental hygiene took a major hit.

Beyond physical health challenges, there's the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the ordeal. That could take years to emerge, and because PTSD doesn't have a surefire treatment, it might be the toughest condition for the miners to manage in the long run.

"There may ... be depression or guilt reactions to how they reacted while being confined and how people treated each other," Dr. Howard Zonana, a Yale University professor of psychiatry, told ABC News. "Not everyone reacts in a fashion they are proud of when facing what must have seemed like imminent death."

How will doctors handle the health problems?

They'll start with preliminary physical exams, which are ongoing as the miners emerge one by one. Doctors are performing chest X-rays, blood tests to check for vitamin and other deficiencies, and keeping tabs on the mental well-being of the miners.

After that, treatment efforts will largely occur on a case-by-case basis. Good nutrition, dental cleaning and plenty of rest will be mainstays for all the miners, but those with other health issues -- some of the miners already suffer from diabetes and hypertension, and others reportedly have skin infections -- will need more comprehensive care.

The Chilean government has also publicly offered six months of free psychological counseling for all the men.

And docs aside, many of the men will also be nursed back to health in the best way possible: sexy times with the women waiting for them at the surface.

"Cristina Nunez, 24, is planning to cover her fiance, Claudio Yanez, with kisses, and that's just the beginning of her plot," AOL's LemonDrop reports. "Nunez has also managed to stash away choice lingerie -- a red bra-and-panty number complete with devil's horns, a tail and a cape, as well as a white bra with a bride's veil and garter."

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