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HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS
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by Herman Falsetti,
M.D.
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When you travel from sea level
to altitude you may develop symptoms of altitude sickness. The major effect
of reduced atmospheric pressure is a decrease in the partial pressure
of oxygen. The time required for symptoms of altitude sickness to appear
depend on altitude, time ascending to altitude, age and fitness level.
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The
symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) are nausea, insomnia, headache,
palpitation and mild shortness of breath. Although AMS makes you feel bad
it is not considered a serious illness. It is easily prevented by slow ascent
to altitude, high carbohydrate diet and avoiding dehydration. |
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High
altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a more serious condition with extreme
shortness of breath, cough and cyanosis the main symptoms. HAPE rarely occur
under 9,000 feet elevation. This condition is potentially fatal and the
result of too rapid an ascent to altitude. The treatment is oxygen and immediate
removal to lower altitude. |
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The
drug for altitude sickness prevention is diamox, consult your doctor to
get a prescription. |
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Preventive steps:
1) Diet - start high carbohydrate
diet several days before ascending to altitude
2) Ascend to altitude slowly,
if over 10,000 feet consider doing it in 2 days
3) Consult your doctor to
give you a preventive prescription for diamox and take 250mg every 8
hours prior to and during ascent to altitude as well as first 3 days
to altitude.
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Dr. Herman
Falsetti can be reached for more information at 949 727 1900. |
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