Altitude sickness, called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a disorder that can affect anyone who ascends rapidly to high altitudes. Even people who are in excellent physical condition can develop altitude sickness. High altitude environments exist at elevations over 1,500 meters.
As the altitude rises, the oxygen saturation decreases. So with higher altitude, there is a risk of hypoxemia, which causes the symptoms of this sickness.
This article will explore the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of altitude sickness.
What Are the Symptoms of Altitude Sickness?
Some of the common symptoms of this sickness are:
– headache
– nausea
– vomiting
– lightheadedness or dizziness
– loss of appetite
– fatigue
– difficulty sleeping
– shortness of breath with exertion
If you or someone is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s essential to descend to a lower altitude as soon as possible.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Some methods to diagnose AMS are:
1) The Lake Louise Scoring System
It is a self-diagnosis system that uses a questionnaire. It is easy to use and only takes a few minutes.
The Lake Louise Scoring System is considered the “gold standard” for diagnosing AMS. It is more than 90% accurate in identifying patients with AMS. Here’s how it works:
First, you answer a series of questions about your symptoms, such as:
-Do you have a headache?
-Do you have nausea or vomiting?
-Do you have fatigue or drowsiness?
-Do you have difficulty sleeping?
-Do you have a loss of appetite?
-Do you have shortness of breath upon exertion?
You then give yourself a score based on your answers. If your score is above three, you are likely suffering from AMS.
2)Medical Examination
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. They will also do a physical examination. It may include checking your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.
You may also have some tests to rule out other conditions, such as a chest X-ray or an EKG.
EKG involves attaching electrodes to your chest and taking a tracing of your heart’s electrical activity. An EKG can show if you have an irregular heartbeat or other heart problems. In addition, a chest X-ray can show if you have fluid in your lungs.
Your doctor may also advise and give a blood test to look for signs of anemia or dehydration. Dehydration can make your symptoms worse.
Anemia is when you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues.
Treatment Options for Altitude Sickness
1) Rest: Stop and rest to help assess the situation.
2)Don’t climb: It’s better to either descend to a lower altitude or remain and help your body acclimatize to the elevation. But it’s important not to climb further up.
3) IV Fluids: Dehydration also has similar symptoms as AMS. So, the best thing you should do is to rehydrate your body with IV fluids. These contain a high concentration of electrolytes, which will help you feel better faster and help in diagnosis.
IV fluids are also a great option if you’re experiencing nausea or vomiting, as they can help prevent dehydration.
4) Oxygen Therapy: This treatment involves breathing in pure oxygen, which can help improve your symptoms and make you feel better quickly.
Oxygen therapy is often combined with other treatments, such as IV fluids and medication.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re scaling Mount Everest or simply enjoying a Rocky Mountain getaway, it’s essential to be alert and aware of the symptoms and treatment of altitude sickness. By following the tips above, you can help prevent this potentially dangerous condition. And if you do start to experience symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention and ask for help.
