Altitude Sickness
Symptoms of altitude sickness
Source: NHS
In this topic (7)
Symptoms of altitude sickness usually develop between6 and 24 hours after ascending to high altitude.
Mild altitude sickness
Common symptoms of mild altitude sickness (sometimes called acute mountain sickness) can be similar to a bad hangover and may include:
- headache
- nausea and vomiting
- dizziness
- tiredness
- loss of appetite
- upset stomach
- feeling unsteady
- shortness of breath
- increased heart rate
- difficulty sleeping
- generally feeling unwell
The symptoms are usually worse at night.
Severealtitude sickness
Signs of severe altitude sickness can include:
- worsening of the symptoms describedabove
- a persistent, irritablecough
- breathlessness (even when resting)
- a bubbling sound in the chest
- coughing up pink or white frothy liquid
- clumsiness and difficulty walking
- irrational behaviour
- double vision
- fits (convulsions)
- drowsiness
- confusion
Severe symptoms could mean you're developing cerebral oedema or pulmonary oedema. These are potentially life-threatening complications of altitude sickness.
What to do if you have symptoms
If you have symptoms of mild altitude sickness, don'tgo any higherfor 24 to 48 hours. If your symptoms don't improve or get worseduring this time, you should descend immediately.
Severe altitude sickness is a medical emergency. Someone with severe symptoms should immediately descend to a low altitude and seek medical help.
.
Articles for Altitude Sickness
'Being careful to acclimatise properly did take extra time, but I was very glad I did'
After years of mountain climbing, David Hillebrandt learnthow to deal with his altitude sickness.
'We were at high altitudes for four days and I was ill the entire time'
Jessica Mathur, a GP from London, was surprised when she became ill with altitude sickness during a holiday in Peru.
Complications of altitude sickness
Altitude sickness can cause potentially life-threatening conditions that affect the brain or lungs. Find out what to do if someone has severe symptoms of altitude sickness.
Introduction
Find out what to do if you have symptoms of altitude sickness, who's affected, and how you can prevent it.
Preventing altitude sickness
Find out how to prevent altitude sickness, including climbing slowly, particularly at altitudes of 2,500m or above. Ascending gradually will give your body time to adapt.
Symptoms of altitude sickness
Find out about the symptoms of mild and severe altitude sickness, which include headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, and an increased heart rate.
Treating altitude sickness
Find out how altitude sickness should be treated, including descending to a lower altitude, oxygen treatment, and different types of medication.
