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 |
Patients with altitude sickness may have a positive history of:
- Substances (alcohol) or conditions that interfere with acclimatization
- Comorbidities that interfere with respiration such as neuromuscular disease or pulmonary hypertension
- Sleep apnea
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Restrictive lung disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Carotid artery surgery or neck radiation
Symptoms
- Common symptoms of altitude sickness include:[1][2]
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus
- Breathlessness
- Palpitations
- Sleep disturbance
- Fatigue
- Anorexia
- Mental confusion
- Cyanosis
- Dilation of veins
- Less common symptoms of altitude sickness include:[3]
- 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
References
- ↑ Taylor AT (January 2011). "High-altitude illnesses: physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment". Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2 (1): e0022. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10022. PMC 3678789. PMID 23908794.
- ↑ Schoene RB (August 2008). "Illnesses at high altitude". Chest. 134 (2): 402–416. doi:10.1378/chest.07-0561. PMID 18682459.
- ↑ Basnyat B, Murdoch DR (June 2003). "High-altitude illness". Lancet. 361 (9373): 1967–74. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13591-X. PMID 12801752.