Altitude sickness history and symptoms: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==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]], [[dyspepsia|stomach sickness]], [[dizziness]], and [[sleep disturbance]] as additional possible symptoms. Exertion aggravates the symptoms.
Patients with altitude sickness may have a positive history of underlying lung disease and substances or conditions that interfere with [[acclimatization]]. Common [[symptoms]] of altitude sickness include [[headache]], [[dizziness]], [[fatigue]], [[cyanosis]].


==History==
==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.


<u>High Altitude Categories:</u>
<u>High Altitude Categories:</u>
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|Extreme altitude||5,500-8,850 mts||18,045-29,035 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==
==Symptoms==
*Common symptoms of altitude sickness include:<ref name="pmid23908794">{{cite journal |vauthors=Taylor AT |title=High-altitude illnesses: physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment |journal=Rambam Maimonides Med J |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=e0022 |date=January 2011 |pmid=23908794 |pmc=3678789 |doi=10.5041/RMMJ.10022 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid18682459">{{cite journal |vauthors=Schoene RB |title=Illnesses at high altitude |journal=Chest |volume=134 |issue=2 |pages=402–416 |date=August 2008 |pmid=18682459 |doi=10.1378/chest.07-0561 |url=}}</ref>
*Common [[Symptom|symptoms]] of altitude sickness include:<ref name="pmid23908794">{{cite journal |vauthors=Taylor AT |title=High-altitude illnesses: physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment |journal=Rambam Maimonides Med J |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=e0022 |date=January 2011 |pmid=23908794 |pmc=3678789 |doi=10.5041/RMMJ.10022 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid18682459">{{cite journal |vauthors=Schoene RB |title=Illnesses at high altitude |journal=Chest |volume=134 |issue=2 |pages=402–416 |date=August 2008 |pmid=18682459 |doi=10.1378/chest.07-0561 |url=}}</ref>
**Headache
**[[Headache]]
**Dizziness
**[[Dizziness]]
**Tinnitus
**[[Tinnitus]]
**Breathlessness
**[[Breathlessness]]
**Palpitations
**[[Palpitation|Palpitations]]
**Sleep disturbance
**[[Sleep disturbance]]
**Fatigue
**[[Fatigue]]
**Anorexia
**[[Anorexia]]
**Mental confusion
**[[Mental confusion]]
**Cyanosis
**[[Cyanosis]]
**Dilation of veins
**Dilation of veins
**Loss of [[appetite]]


*Less common symptoms of altitude sickness include:<ref name="pmid12801752">{{cite journal |vauthors=Basnyat B, Murdoch DR |title=High-altitude illness |journal=Lancet |volume=361 |issue=9373 |pages=1967–74 |date=June 2003 |pmid=12801752 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13591-X |url=}}</ref>
*Less common symptoms of altitude sickness include:<ref name="pmid12801752">{{cite journal |vauthors=Basnyat B, Murdoch DR |title=High-altitude illness |journal=Lancet |volume=361 |issue=9373 |pages=1967–74 |date=June 2003 |pmid=12801752 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13591-X |url=}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 16:18, 21 March 2018

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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

Patients with altitude sickness may have a positive history of underlying lung disease and substances or conditions that interfere with acclimatization. Common symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, dizziness, fatigue, cyanosis.

History

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:

Symptoms

References

  1. 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.
  2. Schoene RB (August 2008). "Illnesses at high altitude". Chest. 134 (2): 402–416. doi:10.1378/chest.07-0561. PMID 18682459.
  3. Basnyat B, Murdoch DR (June 2003). "High-altitude illness". Lancet. 361 (9373): 1967–74. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13591-X. PMID 12801752.

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