Altitude sickness
acute negative health effects from high altitude / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Altitude sickness is the harmful effect of high altitude. The mildest form is known as acute mountain sickness (AMS)
Quick Facts Other names, Medical specialty ...
Altitude sickness | |
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Other names | High-altitude sickness,[1] altitude illness,[1] hypobaropathy, altitude bends, soroche |
Altitude sickness warning – Indian Army | |
Medical specialty | Emergency medicine |
Symptoms | Headache, vomiting, feeling tired, trouble sleeping, dizziness[1] |
Complications | High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE)[1] |
Usual onset | Within 24 hours[1] |
Types | Acute mountain sickness, high-altitude pulmonary edema, high-altitude cerebral edema, chronic mountain sickness[2] |
Causes | Low amounts of oxygen at high elevation[1][2] |
Risk factors | Prior episode, high degree of activity, rapid increase in elevation[2] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms[2] |
Differential diagnosis | Exhaustion, viral infection, hangover, dehydration, carbon monoxide poisoning[1] |
Prevention | Gradual ascent[1] |
Treatment | Descent to lower altitude, sufficient fluids[1][2] |
Medication | Ibuprofen, acetazolamide, dexamethasone, oxygen therapy[2] |
Frequency | 20% at 2,500 metres (8,000 ft) 40% at 3,000 metres (10,000 ft) |
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