Mountain sickness
Although rare, altitude sickness can also lead to potentially life-threatening conditions that affect the brain or lungs.
High altitude cerebral oedema(HACE) occurs when a lack of oxygen causes fluid to leak through the capillary walls and into the brain, resulting in swelling of the brain tissue. Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that surround major organs, such as the brain, heart and lungs.
Symptoms of HACE can include:
HACE can occur if a person ascends to a high altitude rapidly or stays at a very high altitude for a week or longer. A person with HACE often doesn't realise the seriousness of their condition, and may insist they're all right and want to be left alone.
If HACE isn't treated immediately, it's likely it will be fatal. Immediate descent to a lower altitude is necessary to prevent this.
The steroid medication dexamethasone can be used to treat HACE. If available, oxygen should also be given. Someone with HACE should be transferred to hospital quickly to receive follow-up treatment.
See treating altitude sickness for more information.
Dexamethasone can be very useful for treating severe complications of altitude sickness, such as high altitude cerebral oedema (HACE). It is a strong steroid that reduces swelling of the brain, and is usually taken as a tablet several times a day.
Themedicationis particularly useful for "buying time" until it's safe to make a descent. For example, it can be used during the night to relieve symptoms when making a descent isn't possible or may be dangerous. Symptoms usually start to improve within about six hours.
Dexamethasone can cause side effects such as stomach upset, difficulty sleeping (insomnia) and mood changes.
High altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) occurs when fluid builds up in the lungs. The fluid prevents oxygen being transferred from the lungs into the bloodstream.
As the condition worsens, the amount of oxygen in the blood decreases, which can cause:
The symptoms of confusion and irrational behaviour arecaused bya lack of oxygen to the brain, but can also occur in high altitude cerebral oedema. To prevent death, someone with HAPE should descend immediately to a low altitude.
Nifedipine is a medication that can beused to treat HAPE. Dexamethasone may also be useful, although further studies are needed to assess its effectiveness.
As with HACE, someone with the symptoms of HAPE should be transferred to hospital as soon as possible for follow-up treatment.
See treating altitude sickness for more information.
If you or someone you know has experienced HAPE, you can register with the International HAPE Database . The database has been set up to assist with research into this very serious health condition.
Altitude sickness is a common condition that can occur when you climb to a high altitude too quickly. Just because you haven't had it before doesn't mean you won't develop it on another trip.
Symptoms of altitude sickness usually develop between 6 and 24 hours after ascending to high altitude and can be similar to a bad hangover.
Altitude sickness can be treated by descending to a lower altitude, oxygen treatment, and different types of medication. If you have symptoms of mild altitude sickness, you shouldn't go any higher for at least 24 to 48 hours.
Altitude sickness can cause potentially life-threatening conditions that affect the brain or lungs.If HACE isn't treated immediately, it's likely it will be fatal. Immediate descent to a lower altitude is necessary to prevent this.
Proper acclimatisation to altitudes of 2,500m (just over 8,200 feet) or above is the best way to prevent altitude sickness. Ascending slowly will give your body time to adapt to the change in altitude.
Jessica Mathur, a GP from London, was surprised when she became ill with altitude sickness during a holiday in Peru. I found it difficult to believe that I had altitude sickness. I just didn't expect it would happen to me.
After years of mountain climbing, David Hillebrandt learnt how to deal with his altitude sickness. "It's still as bad as it was 30 years ago. The only difference is that now I know how to deal with it."