How to identify and treat altitude sickness
The altitude sicknessMountain sickness, also known as mountain sickness, is the way the body reacts to heights. It is not necessary to be on the highest of peaks to suffer from mountain sickness: in some cases, symptoms can be experienced at an altitude of only 2,000 metres above sea level.
People living in low-lying or coastal areas may feel the symptoms when they are at a higher altitude than the body is used to. This happens because as we ascend a mountain, the lower the atmospheric pressure and less oxygen is inhaled, producing hypoxia or lack of oxygen in the blood.
Levels of altitude sickness
Altitude sickness can be categorised into three variants:
- Acute Mountain Sickness (MAM). It is the most common version of this condition.
- Altitude or High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (ECA or ECGA). It is characterised by the presence of oedema in the brain tissue. The central nervous system is severely and life-threateningly altered. It is considered a malignant development or form of MAM.
- Altitude or High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (EPA or EPGA). This disease is considered a malignant form or evolution of MAM. It involves the presence of non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema caused by altitude. It can have a fatal course and its onset can be sudden.
Causes of altitude sickness
This is the way the body reacts to the lower concentration of oxygen in the air, which is characteristic of high altitude.
Oxygen is necessary for all processes in the body. The higher you climb, the less oxygen your body receives. The body reacts to this with a series of symptoms, which together are known as altitude sickness or mountain sickness (AMS).
Depending on a number of characteristics a person is more susceptible to MAM. For example, factors such as the altitude where you regularly live and your age directly influence the development of MAM.
Dehydration of the body can also contribute to accelerating the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness.. However, there is no need to worry, as in most cases, the symptoms reduce or disappear as the body adapts to the altitude.
But it is also unwise to neglect the symptoms, as some cases can be aggravated and even fatal.
Prevention
Is there a way to prevent the development of altitude sickness? Fortunately, yes. In the vast majority of cases, it can be prevented by simply making the ascent slowly.
It should also be borne in mind that a person who is used to living in a low area may feel symptoms at lower altitudes than someone who lives in a higher area.
That is why, before any excursion involving an ascent to heights of more than 3,000 metres, the physical condition of the participants should be assessed and, if possible, a doctor should be consulted.
The body generally responds very well to altitude if given time to acclimatise, always remembering that different people can adapt at different speeds. The ideal is to take your time and listen to your body.
Considered as a "golden rule" to prevent Mountain Sickness, it is make daily steps of a maximum of 500 metres to sleep each dayThe first day of the camp, starting at an altitude of 3,000 metres and taking a rest day, without changing the altitude for sleeping, every three or four days.
Symptoms of altitude sickness
Although the symptoms of MAM can vary in severity, the first warning sign will be the headache. Whether constant or throbbing, a headache is an almost certain sign that there is a case of MAM.
Other symptoms that may occur include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, lethargy, sleep disturbances (drowsiness or insomnia), lack of appetite, nervousness, heart rate disturbances and episodes of sudden dyspnoea (difficulty in breathing).
Treatment of altitude sickness
What is considered the most effective treatment for MAM is the simplest: take the person suffering from symptoms to a lower altitude.
The body is able to adapt to different conditions, but having the symptoms and continuing to ascend will only make the situation worse. In other words, the body must be given time to get used to it.
The best course of action would be to go down to the altitude at which the person felt well and rest until the symptoms pass.
Symptoms of Altitude or High Altitude Cerebral Oedema
EDA usually begins as a more severe form of MAM. It can be detected that the brain has started to swell if the person presents confusion and lack of balance.
If the person cannot walk in a straight line or cannot balance on one foot, this may be a case of EDA.
In this case, it will not be sufficient to simply descend to a lower altitude for the symptoms to disappear, but also the presence of medical assistance as soon as possible. It can be fatal if not treated in time.
Symptoms of Altitude or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
Cases of EPA or EPGA do not necessarily have to be preceded by a case of Mountain Sickness. Sometimes, the person initially suffers from shortness of breath, accompanied by a dry cough.
Symptoms that the lungs are still filling with fluid can be greater than in the past. difficulty in breathing than at the beginning, crackling or gurgling breathing, sudden tiredness, wet cough and altered levels of consciousness.
A person suspected of suffering from EPA or AGEV must be immediately lowered in altitude and medically treated with the highest speed. It is a serious disease that can lead to death if not treated promptly.
Medicines
There are some over-the-counter remedies such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin that can relieve the headache associated with Mountain Sickness. But, the pain may persist even after the medicine has been taken.
Most often the headache will go away on its own, as will other symptoms of mountain sickness, once the body has acclimatised to the altitude.
READ ALSO:
