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HOW TO AVOID BECOMING AN "ALTITUDE"
CASUALTY
- Definition
of Altitude Illness: A variety of illnesses experienced by
poorly acclimated individuals, usually occurring within the first
several days of ascending too quickly to altitudes greater than
8,000 feet.
- Cause
of Altitude Illness: Low atmospheric pressure, exacerbated
by high activity levels dehydration, excessive consumption of
alcohol, poor diet, and the use of over-the-counter sleeping medications.
- Mild Acute
Mountain Sickness (AMS) Individuals with AMS have headaches,
shortness of breath when exercising, loss of appetite, insomnia,
weariness and fatigue. (Similar to an alcohol hangover.)
Treatment:
Wait for improvement before continuing. Aspirin or acetaminophen
is useful for treating headaches. The prescription drug Acetazolamide
(Diamox) may reduce the incidence and the severity of AMS. Increase
water consumption and eat more carbohydrate foods. Symptoms
will usually clear-up within 24 - 48 hours. Those experiencing
Mild AMS should consider it a warning and should take time to
acclimatize before continuing. Those that do not acclimatize
well should descend to lower altitudes.
- Moderate
Acute Mountain Sickness. The symptoms of mild AMS have progressed
to the point that the victim is very uncomfortable. Severe headaches,
only partially, or not relieved with aspirin, weakness, weariness,
fatigue, nausea, breathlessness at rest and lack of coordination
are common symptoms.
Treatment:
Persons with moderate AMS must stop ascending and if
condition does not improve must descend to lower altitudes.
Failing to recognize what is happening and not descending quickly
can result in a life threatening medical emergency (High Altitude
Pulmonary Edema) occurring within hours and resulting in the
death of the victim.
- High Altitude
Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) HAPE is the most dangerous form of
AMS because it can progress to life threatening seriousness in
only a matter of hours. Early signs include marked breathlessness
on exertion, breathlessness at rest, decreased exercise capacity,
increased respiratory and heart rate. In moderate to severe HAPE
there is marked weakness and fatigue, bluish discoloration of
the skin, a dry raspy cough, and gurgling sounds in the chest.
As HAPE worsens a productive cough develops.
Treatment:
Immediate descent to lower altitudes is essential. Descend 2,000
to 4,000 feet -- get below 8,000 feet if possible. Keep the
victim warm. Exert the patient as little as possible. Advanced
treatment may consist of administering Acetazolamide in mild
cases of HAPE and Nifedipine in moderate to severe cases.
Prevention
- Go up slowly
-- the faster the rate of ascent the more likely it is that symptoms
will occur.
- Layover at
intermediate altitudes before ascending to the final altitude.
- Take it easy
and avoid overexertion
- Increase
your consumption of water and avoid alcohol
- Do not use
over-the-counter sleeping aids
- Eat more
carbohydrates
- Sleep at
lower altitudes
- If you know
you are susceptible consult your doctor about appropriate drugs
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