Altitude Sickness

Acute mountain sickness is an illness that can affect mountain climbers, hikers, skiers, or travelers who ascend too rapidly to high altitude (typically above 8,000 feet or 2,400 meters). This is especially for persons who normally reside at or near sea level.

Causes of Altitude Sickness:

- Less Oxygen
- Low pressure i.e. Barometric (Climatic) Pressure
- Raped Ascent
- Possible Dehydration
- Hypothermia (Chilled)

Type of Altitude Sickness:
- AMS: Acute Mountain Sickness (mild symptom feels like hangover / not feeling well)
- HAPE: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (lung problem by water in the lung)
- HACE: High Altitude cerebral Edema (mental or Psychological problem water in the head)

Symptoms:
Acute Mountain Sickness (mild symptom feels like hangover / not feeling well)

- Headache
- Fatigue / Tiredness
- Shortness of Breath / Respiration
- Loss of Appetite
- Sleep Disturbance

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (lung problem by water in the lung)

- Increasing shortness of breath even at rest
- Severe cough – Dry (difficulty in cough)
- Very tired – Unusual fatigue while walking
- High pulse rate i.e. 110
- Blueness of face, lip, fingernails – that means inability to transport Oxygen into the blood

High Altitude cerebral Edema (mental or Psychological problem water in the head)

Sever symptoms of Altitude Sickness

- Sever Headache
- Vomiting
- Ataxia / Walking like a drunk
- Altered mental status / Mental confusion
- Irritable / Does not want to be bothered by other people
- Coma / Unconsciousness

Prevention

- Acclimatization - After a 1000m. Ascent, stay one more night for acclimatization
- Do nod make RAPID ASCENT, don’t go too fast too high
- No alcohol, sleeping pills and smoking.
- Drink more fluid 3-4 litters a day --- clean water – boiled or treated / tea / coffee / soup / juice, etc
- Do not carry heave packs, 10-12 kilograms is okay
- Climb higher sleep lower.
- Over 3000m, 300m. ascent a day
- Do not travel alone

Treatment

- DESENT is the best medicine, do not wait for the Helicopter
- Medicine
- Oxygen
- Diamox---for AMS 125 mg. before dinner, for sleeping problem if feeling suffocated
- Nafedipine for HAPE
- Steroids / Dexamethasone for HACE