Altitude sickness physical examination
|
Altitude sickness Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Altitude sickness physical examination On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Altitude sickness physical examination |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Altitude sickness physical examination |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farima Kahe M.D. [2]
Overview
During physical examination, a clinician may find that a patient presenting with altitude sickness experiences temporary signs that usually abate with time as altitude acclimatization occurs. High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and cerebral edema (HACE) are the most ominous signs that may manifest during a physical examination.
Physical Examination
During physical examination, a clinician may find serious signs indicating more complex conditions such as edema (fluid accumulation in the tissues of the body). At very high altitude, humans can get either high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Signs may include:
Physical Examination
- Physical examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually remarkable for headache, nausea, vomiting and lightheadedness.[1][2][3][4]
Appearance of the Patient
- Patients with altitude sickness usually appear cyanotic.
Vital Signs
- Hypothermia may be present
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
- High/low blood pressure with normal pulse pressure / wide pulse pressure / narrow pulse pressure
Skin
- Pale or bluish appearance
HEENT
Neck
- Neck examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually normal.
Lungs
- Crackles or wheezing may be present
Heart
- Cardiovascular examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually normal.
Abdomen
- Abdominal examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually normal.
Back
- Back examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually normal.
Genitourinary
- Genitourinary examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually normal.
Neuromuscular
- Altered mental status may be present
- Loss of coordination
Extremities
- Cyanosis may be present
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.
- ↑ Murdoch D (March 2010). "Altitude sickness". BMJ Clin Evid. 2010. PMC 2907615. PMID 21718562.
- ↑ Clarke C (November 2006). "Acute mountain sickness: medical problems associated with acute and subacute exposure to hypobaric hypoxia". Postgrad Med J. 82 (973): 748–53. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2006.047662. PMC 2660503. PMID 17099095.
- ↑ Carod-Artal FJ (2014). "High-altitude headache and acute mountain sickness". Neurologia. 29 (9): 533–40. doi:10.1016/j.nrl.2012.04.015. PMID 22703629.