Acute mountain sickness

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Respiratory system

Acute mountain sickness

Alternative Names:

High altitude cerebral edema; Altitude anoxia; Altitude sickness; Mountain sickness; High altitude pulmonary edema
Treatment:

The mainstay of treatment for all forms of altitude illness is to descend to lower altitude as rapidly and safely as possible. Supplemental oxygen should also be administered, if available.

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Hospitalization may be required for severe illness.

Acetazolamide (Diamox) may be used to stimulate breathing, speed acclimatization, and diminish the milder symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Do not consume alcoholic beverages while taking Diamox, and drink sufficient fluids since Diamox increases urination.

Pulmonary edema is treated with oxygen, nifedipine (a high-blood pressure medication also effective for this disorder), and in severe cases, mechanical ventilation.

For cerebral edema, administration of the steroid drug dexamethasone (Decadron) may be helpful.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most cases are mild, and symptoms improve promptly with a return to lower altitude. Severe cases may result in death due to respiratory distress or brain swelling (cerebral edema).

In remote locations, emergency evacuation may not be possible, or treatment may be delayed. These conditions could adversely affect the outcome.

Complications:

Pulmonary edema
Coma
High altitude cerebral edema (brain swelling)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of acute mountain sickness develop, even if symptoms resolved when returning to a lower altitude.

Call the local emergency number (such as 9-1-1) or seek emergency medical assistance if severe difficulty breathing develops, if consciousness is decreased, if coughing up blood, or if other severe symptoms are present. If unable to contact emergency help, descend immediately, as rapidly as is safely possible.