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Altitude Sickness
Medical Questions » Altitude Sickness
| Name: Altitude Sickness |
| Also known as: Mountain Sickness |
| Lung damage caused by lack of oxygen at high altitudes. |
Causes of Altitude Sickness
Ascending rapidly to heights over 3000m. A slow ascent is less likely to cause problems than a rapid one. Impossible to predict who will be affected, how rapidly or at what altitude. |
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness
Starts with headache, shortness of breath, and excessive tiredness, followed by inability to sleep, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains and a fever. Fluid fills the lungs, patients start coughing up blood, the heart races, and they may eventually drown as blood fills the lungs. |
Tests for Altitude Sickness
None normally necessary. |
Treatment for Altitude Sickness
A rapid descent to a lower altitude is the only effective treatment for severe cases, although mild cases may recover with rest at high altitude. Fluid removing drugs (diuretics) may be used in an emergency to remove fluid from the lungs. Acetazolamide and dexamethasone may be given during the climb for prevention. Oxygen in cylinders is used by very high altitude climbers.
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Complications of Altitude Sickness of its treatment
Permanent lung and other organ damage may result from a severe attack. |
Likely Outcome of Altitude Sickness
May be life-threatening unless a lower altitude can be reached. |
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