Elevation sickness, also known as altitude or mountain sickness, affects many people every year. While many people start experiencing symptoms, they have no idea they are actually dealing with a very serious illness which is brought on by the altitude they are at while exploring or traveling in the mountains.
Below is some information from healthline.com regarding mountain sickness you may want to familiarize yourself with before you begin your travel adventure or before you begin mountain hiking and/or exploring in hilly or mountainous areas:
What Is Acute Mountain Sickness?
Hikers, skiers, and adventurers who travel to high altitudes can sometimes develop acute mountain sickness. Other names for this condition are altitude sickness or high altitude pulmonary edema. It typically occurs at about 8,000 feet, or 2,400 meters, above sea level. Dizziness, nausea, headaches, and shortness of breath are a few symptoms of this condition. Most instances of altitude sickness are mild and heal quickly. In rare cases, altitude sickness can become severe and cause complications with the lungs or brain.
Causes
What causes acute mountain sickness?
Higher altitudes have lower levels of oxygen and decreased air pressure. When you travel in a plane, drive or hike up a mountain, or go skiing, your body may not have enough time to adjust. This can result in acute mountain sickness. Your level of exertion also plays a role. Pushing yourself to quickly hike up a mountain, for example, may cause acute mountain sickness.
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of acute mountain sickness?
The symptoms of acute mountain sickness generally appear within hours of moving to higher altitudes. They vary depending on the severity of your condition.
Mild Acute Mountain Sickness
If you have a mild case, you may experience:
dizziness
headache
muscle aches
insomnia
nausea and vomiting
irritability
loss of appetite
swelling of the hands, feet, and face
rapid heartbeat
shortness of breath with physical exertion
Severe Acute Mountain Sickness
Severe cases of acute mountain sickness can cause more intense symptoms and affect your heart, lungs, muscles, and nervous system. For example, you may experience confusion as a result of brain swelling. You may also suffer from shortness of breath due to fluid in the lungs.
Symptoms of severe altitude sickness may include:
coughing
chest congestion
pale complexion and skin discoloration
inability to walk or lack of balance
social withdrawal
Call 911 or seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible if you’re experiencing any severe symptoms.
The condition is much easier to treat if you address it before it progresses.
Risk Factors
Who is at risk for acute mountain sickness?
Your risk of experiencing acute mountain sickness is greater if you live by or near the sea and are unaccustomed to higher altitudes. Other risk factors include:
quick movement to high altitudes
physical exertion while traveling to a higher altitude
traveling to extreme heights
a low red blood cell count due to anemia
heart or lung disease
taking medications like sleeping pills, narcotic pain relievers, or tranquilizers that can lower your breathing rate
past bouts of acute mountain sickness
If you’re planning on traveling to a high elevation and have any of the above conditions or take any of the above medications, talk to your doctor about how best to avoid developing acute mountain sickness.
Diagnosis
How is acute mountain sickness diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms, activities, and recent travels. During the exam, your doctor will most likely use a stethoscope to listen for fluid in your lungs. To pinpoint the severity of the condition, your doctor may also order a chest X-ray.
Treatment
How is acute mountain sickness treated?
Treatment for acute mountain sickness varies depending on its severity. You might be able to avoid complications by simply returning to a lower altitude. Hospitalization is necessary if your doctor determines that you have brain swelling or fluid in your lungs. You may receive oxygen if you have breathing issues.
Medications
Medications for altitude sickness include:
acetazolamide, to correct breathing problems
blood pressure medicine
lung inhalers
dexamethasone, to decrease brain swelling
aspirin, for headache relief
Other Treatments
Some basic interventions may be able to treat milder conditions, including:
returning to a lower altitude
reducing your activity level
resting for at least a day before moving to a higher altitude
hydrating with water
Prevention
How can I prevent acute mountain sickness?
You can take some important preventive steps to reduce your chances of acute mountain sickness. Get a physical to make sure you have no serious health issues. Review the symptoms of mountain sickness so you can recognize and treat them quickly if they occur. If traveling to extreme altitudes (higher than 10,000 feet, for example), ask your doctor about acetazolamide, a medication that can ease your body’s adjustment to high altitudes. Taking it the day before you climb and on the first day or two of your trip can lessen your symptoms.
When climbing to higher altitudes, here are some tips that can help you avoid developing acute mountain sickness:
Outlook
What’s the long-term outlook?
Most people are able to recover from a mild case of acute mountain sickness quickly after returning to lower altitudes. Symptoms typically subside within hours, but may last up to two days.
However, if your condition is severe and you have little access to treatment, complications can lead to swelling in the brain and lungs, resulting in coma or death. It’s essential to plan ahead when traveling to high-altitude locations.
Please Note: Creator’s Travel is not affiliated with Healthline in any way. This article is shared for informational purposes only.
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