Symptom: Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness (mountain sickness) is an illness that ranges from a mild headache and weariness to a life-threatening build-up of fluid in the lungs or brain at high altitudes. Acute altitude sickness is the mildest and most common form. Because more people are traveling to areas of high elevation for skiing and mountain climbing, acute altitude sickness has become a greater public health concern. Roughly one fourth of Colorado ski area vacationers, two thirds of climbers on Mount Rainier, and half the people who fly to the Khumbu region of Nepal develop acute altitude sickness. A more serious form of altitude sickness is high altitude edema (HAPE). This illness occurs when fluid builds up within the lungs, a condition that can make breathing extremely difficult. Usually, this happens after the second night spent at a high altitude, but it can happen earlier or later. HAPE often comes on quickly. If left untreated, it can progress to respiratory collapse and ultimately to death. HAPE is the number one cause of death from altitude sickness. Another severe form of altitude sickness is high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), in which fluid builds up within the brain. As the brain swells with fluid, the person's mental state changes. Loss of coordination, coma, and, finally, death can follow unless the problem is recognized and treated promptly.

Source: http://www.emedicinehealth.com

Altitude sickness (mountain sickness) is an illness that ranges from a mild headache and weariness to a life-threatening build-up of fluid in the lungs or brain at high altitudes. Acute altitude sickness is the mildest and most common form. Because more people are traveling to areas of high elevation for skiing and mountain climbing, acute altitude sickness has become a greater public health concern. Roughly one fourth of Colorado ski area vacationers, two thirds of climbers on Mount Rainier, and half the people who fly to the Khumbu region of Nepal develop acute altitude sickness. A more serious form of altitude sickness is high altitude edema (HAPE). This illness occurs when fluid builds up within the lungs, a condition that can make breathing extremely difficult. Usually, this happens after the second night spent at a high altitude, but it can happen earlier or later. HAPE often comes on quickly. If left untreated, it can progress to respiratory collapse and ultimately to death. HAPE is the number one cause of death from altitude sickness. Another severe form of altitude sickness is high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), in which fluid builds up within the brain. As the brain swells with fluid, the person's mental state changes. Loss of coordination, coma, and, finally, death can follow unless the problem is recognized and treated promptly.

Source: http://www.emedicinehealth.com

1 23...Next»(Page 1 of 12)GlossaryMountain Sickness Topic Guide Must Read Articles Related to Mountain Sickness Foreign Travel It is important to plan well in advance when traveling to a foreign country. Travelers should protect (and prepare) themselves from illness by obtaining the app...learn more >> Pulmonary Edema Pulmonary edema is a collection of excess fluid in the lungs. Pulmonary edema is classified as either cardiogenic (caused by heart problems) and non-cardiogenic...learn more >> See the Entire Mountain Sickness Topic Guide » Patient Comments & Reviews The eMedicineHealth doctors ask about Altitude Sickness (Mountain Sickness): Altitude Sickness - Patient Experience Please describe your experience with altitude sickness. 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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape Altitude-Related Disorders »Mountains have fascinated and attracted humankind for millennia. Read More on Medscape Reference »
Featured Topics
  • MS Slideshow
  • Teeth Wrecking Habits
  • Childhood ADHD Facts
  • Pictures of Psoriasis
  • Adult ADHD Slideshow
  • RA in Pictures
Topics Related to Mountain Sickness
  • Cough
  • Foreign Travel
  • Insomnia
  • Pulmonary Edema
  • Vomiting and Nausea
First Aid & Injuries Topics
  • Nosebleed
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Ankle Sprain
  • Leg Pain
Medical Dictionary
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Signs and Symptoms

Welcome to WebHealthNetwork an online symptom search and symptom directory. Here you can find what is the symptom Altitude Sickness and what does it mean, you can also check what illnesses and diseases this symptom relates to.