Altitude sickness history and symptoms

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farima Kahe M.D. [2]

Overview

Generally, different people have different susceptibilities to altitude sickness. For some otherwise healthy people Acute mountain sickness (AMS) can begin to appear at around 2000 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level such as at many mountain ski resorts. AMS is the most frequent type of altitude sickness encountered. Symptoms often manifest themselves 6 to 10 hours after ascent and generally subside in 1 to 2 days, but they occasionally develop into the more serious conditions. Symptoms are described as headache with fatigue, stomach sickness, dizziness, and sleep disturbance as additional possible symptoms. Exertion aggravates the symptoms.

History

Altitude sickness usually occurs following a rapid ascent and can usually be prevented by ascending slowly. In most of these cases, the symptoms are only temporary and usually abate with time as altitude acclimatization occurs. However, in more extreme cases symptoms can be fatal.

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and cerebral edema (HACE) are the most ominous of these symptoms, while acute mountain sickness, retinal hemorrhages, and peripheral edema are the less severe forms of the disease. The rate of ascent, the altitude attained, the amount of physical activity at high altitude, as well as individual susceptibility, are contributing factors to the incidence and severity of high-altitude illness.

High Altitude Categories:

Classification	Altitude(mts)	Altitude(feet)
High altitude	1,500-3,500 mts	4,921-11,483 feet
Very high altitude	3,500-5,500 mts	11,483-18,045 feet
Extreme altitude	5,500-8,850 mts	18,045-29,035 feet

Symptoms

• Common symptoms of altitude sickness include:
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Breathlessness
  • Palpitations
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Fatigue
  • Anorexia
  • Mental confusion
  • Cyanosis
  • Dilation of veins

• Less common symptoms of altitude sickness include:
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Rapid pulse (heart rate)
  • Shortness of breath with exertion
  • Chest tightness or congestion
  • Confusion
  • Cough
  • Coughing up blood
  • Decreased consciousness or withdrawal from social interaction
  • Gray or pale complexion
  • Inability to walk in a straight line, or to walk at all
  • Shortness of breath at rest