 ALTITUDE
SICKNESS- ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a hazard of trekking in the
high mountains. It is an illness that results from moving up
to a higher altitude more quickly than the body can adjust.
If the symptoms are not recognized and you continue to ascend,
you can die. Anyone can get AMS. It is only dangerous if you
fail to recognize or ignore the symptoms. To avoid AMS in the
first place, try to observe publicized guidelines for a graded
ascent to high altitude. Safe trekking at high altitude is requires
a flexible schedule. Even if you follow the guidelines, you
can get AMS. To avoid dying of severe altitude illness it is
necessary to keep in mind the following rules:
- Beware of early symptoms of AMS to recognize when you
have them.
- Never ascend to sleep at a higher altitude with any symptoms
of AMS.
- Descend if your symptoms are getting worse.
- Never leave anyone alone with altitude illness or other
serious illness.
The early symptoms of AMS are headache, loss of appetite,
nausea and fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms, do
not ascend until they completely resolve. A day of rest will
usually allow you to adjust. If you fail to improve, with
a day of rest, or you are getting worse while resting, descend
until you improve. The more serious red flags of altitude
sickness are shortness of breath at rest, loss of balance,
confusion or decreased level of consciousness. These are life
threatening and require IMMEDIATE DESCENT to a lower altitude.
Last Autumn, at Kunde hospital in the Everest region of Nepal,
over a 2 month period we treated 30 cases of altitude sickness
of which 12 had to be evacuated by helicopter as a life saving
measure.
Severe altitude sickness is preventable and there should
not be deaths from altitude illness if these guidelines are
followed.
Article written & donated by:
Dr. Rachel Bishop
Co-Director Kunde Hospital
Dr Jim Litch
Medical Advisor Himalayan Rescue Association & High Altitude
Mountain Guide
Solukhumbu District, Nepal
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