Altitude sickness history and symptoms
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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:
- 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
- Common symptoms of altitude sickness include:[1][2]
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus
- Breathlessness
- Palpitations
- Sleep disturbance
- Fatigue
- Anorexia
- Mental confusion
- Cyanosis
- Dilation of veins
- Loss of appetite
- Less common symptoms of altitude sickness include:[3]
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid pulse (heart rate)
- Shortness of breath with exertion
- Chest tightness or congestion
- Confusion
- Cough
- Coughing up blood
- Decreased consciousness or withdrawal from social interaction
- Gray or pale complexion
- Inability to walk in a straight line, or to walk at all
- Shortness of breath at rest
References
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Schoene RB (August 2008). "Illnesses at high altitude". Chest. 134 (2): 402–416. doi:10.1378/chest.07-0561. PMID 18682459.
- ↑ Basnyat B, Murdoch DR (June 2003). "High-altitude illness". Lancet. 361 (9373): 1967–74. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13591-X. PMID 12801752.