Acute mountain sickness
Alternative names:
altitude anoxia; altitude sickness; high altitude cerebral
edema; high altitude pulmonary edema; mountain sickness
Definition:
An illness that can affect mountain climbers, hikers, or
skiers who have ascended too rapidly above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters) -- especially persons coming from sea level.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Reduced atmospheric pressure and oxygen pressure at high
altitude are the causes of this illness. It affects the nervous
system, lungs, muscles, and heart. The faster the ascent and
the greater the altitude are factors that affect the degree
of illness. In most cases the symptoms are mild, but in severe
cases extreme shortness of
breath with fluid buildup in the lungs (called pulmonary
edema) develops. Swelling
may occur around the brain, causing confusion
and leading to coma.
The incidence is two
out of 10,000 people.
Update Date: 10/08/99
Updated by: adam.com editorial
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