Altitude Sickness Symptoms

Altitude sickness, also called mountain sickness, acute reaction to a change from sea level or other low-altitude environments to altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 metres). Altitude sickness was recognized as early as the 16th century. In 1878 French physiologist Paul Bert demonstrated that the symptoms of altitude sickness are the result of a deficiency of oxygen in the tissues of the body.

Acute mountain sickness is an illness that can affect mountain climbers, hikers, skiers, or travelers at high altitudes, usually above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters).

Acute mountain sickness is caused by reduced air pressure and lower oxygen levels at high altitudes.

The faster you climb to a high altitude, the more likely you will get acute mountain sickness.

You are at higher risk for acute mountain sickness if:

• You live at or near sea level and travel to a high altitude.
• You have had the illness before.
• You ascend quickly.
• You have not acclimatized to the altitude.
• Alcohol or other substances have interfered with acclimatization.
• You have medical problems involving the heart, nervous system, or lungs.

Your symptoms will also depend on the speed of your climb and how hard you push (exert) yourself. Symptoms range from mild to life-threatening. They can affect the nervous system, lungs, muscles, and heart.

In most cases, symptoms are mild. Symptoms of mild to moderate acute mountain sickness may include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid pulse (heart rate)
• Shortness of breath with exertion

Symptoms that may occur with more severe acute mountain sickness include:

• Blue color to the skin (cyanosis)
• Chest tightness or congestion
• Cough
• Coughing up blood
• Decreased consciousness or withdrawal from social interaction
• Gray or pale complexion
• Cannot walk in a straight line, or walk at all
• Shortness of breath at rest

The health care provider will examine you and listen to your chest with a stethoscope. This may reveal sounds called crackles (rales) in the lung. Rales may be a sign of fluid in the lungs.

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood tests
• Brain CT scan
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Early diagnosis is important. Acute mountain sickness is easier to treat in the early stages. Tiger road pa.

The main treatment for all forms of mountain sickness is to climb down (descend) to a lower altitude as rapidly and safely as possible. You should not continue climbing if you develop symptoms.

Extra oxygen should be given, if available.

People with severe mountain sickness may need to be admitted to a hospital.

A medicine called acetazolamide (Diamox) may be given to help you breathe better. It can help reduce symptoms. This medicine can make you urinate more often. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol when taking this drug. This medicine works best when taken before reaching a high altitude.

If you have fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema), treatment may include:

• Oxygen
• A high blood pressure medicine called nifedipine
• Beta agonist inhalers to open the airways
• Breathing machine in severe cases
• Medicine to increase blood flow to the lungs called phosphodiesterase inhibitor (such as sildenafil)

Dexamethasone (Decadron) may help reduce acute mountain sickness symptoms and swelling in the brain (cerebral edema).

Portable hyperbaric chambers allow hikers to simulate conditions at lower altitudes without actually moving from their location on the mountain. These devices are very helpful if bad weather or other factors make climbing down the mountain impossible.

Most cases are mild. Symptoms improve quickly when you climb down the mountain to a lower altitude.

Severe cases may result in death due to lung problems or brain swelling, called cerebral edema.

In remote locations, emergency evacuation may not be possible, or treatment may be delayed. This can have a negative effect on the outcome.

The outlook depends on the rate of descent once symptoms begin. Some people are more prone to developing altitude-related sickness and may not respond as well.

Complications may include:

• Coma (unresponsiveness)
• Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
• Swelling of the brain (cerebral edema), which can lead to seizures, mental changes, or permanent damage to the nervous system
• Death

Call your provider if you have or had symptoms of acute mountain sickness, even if you felt better when you returned to a lower altitude.

Call 911 or your local emergency number if you or another climber have any of the following symptoms:

• Severe breathing problems
• Altered level of alertness
• Coughing up blood

Climb down the mountain right away and as safely as possible.

Keys to preventing acute mountain sickness include:

• Climb the mountain gradually. Gradual ascent is the most important factor in preventing acute mountain sickness.
• Stop for a day or two of rest for every 2,000 feet (600 meters) of climb above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters).
• Sleep at a lower altitude when possible.
• Make sure that you have the ability to rapidly descend if needed.
• Learn how to recognize early symptoms of mountain sickness.

If you are traveling above 9,840 feet (3,000 meters), you should carry enough oxygen for several days.

If you plan on climbing quickly, or climbing to a high altitude, ask your provider about medicines that may help.

If you are at risk for a low red blood cell count (anemia), ask your provider if your planned trip is safe. Also ask if an iron supplement is right for you. Anemia lowers the amount of oxygen in your blood. This makes you more likely to have mountain sickness.

While climbing:

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• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Eat regular meals that are high in carbohydrates.

You should avoid high altitudes if you have heart or lung disease.

High altitude cerebral edema; Altitude anoxia; Altitude sickness; Mountain sickness; High altitude pulmonary edema

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Luks AM, Hackett PH. High altitude and preexisting medical conditions. In: Auerbach PS, Cushing TA, Harris NS, eds. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 3.

Luks AM, Schoene RB, Swenson ER. High altitude. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 77.

Updated by: Jesse Borke, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, Attending Physician at FDR Medical Services/Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Buffalo, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.