Sun
19
Apr
Acute Mountain Sickness
Definition
Acute mountain sickness is a set of symptoms caused by the lower pressure and
reduced amount of oxygen at high altitudes (above 7,000 feet). The symptoms are
headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, and nausea, or, in serious
cases, extreme fatigue, impaired motor control, and fluid accumulation in the
brain and lungs. In general, the greater the altitude and the more rapid the
ascent, the greater the likelihood of severe symptoms. Many deaths on Mt.
Everest and other high mountains can be attributed to the effects of altitude
sickness. However, in most cases, altitude sickness is a benign condition that
afflicts people from sea level when they go on a ski vacation or hiking in the
mountains.
The best treatment for altitude sickness is prevention. Individuals planning an ascent of high mountains such as Mt. Everest should take as much time as possible to acclimate to the starting elevation. Keep in mind that full adjustment to the reduced oxygen content of the air may take several weeks. In general, ascents should be gradual: one recommendation suggests 2 days for an 8,000-foot elevation gain plus 1 day for each 1,000 to 2,000 feet afterwards.
However, such recommendations are not practical for people who fly to a vacation destination such as a ski resort and must deal with the effects of reduced oxygen all at once. To prevent or treat mild cases of altitude sickness, you should drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and salty foods. If severe symptoms develop, the best response is to descend as rapidly as possible.
Conventional treatments include acetazolamide or dexamethasone for prevention or treatment of mild altitude sickness, and nifedipine for people prone to pulmonary edema. Ibuprofen and related drugs may help with headache.
The best treatment for altitude sickness is prevention. Individuals planning an ascent of high mountains such as Mt. Everest should take as much time as possible to acclimate to the starting elevation. Keep in mind that full adjustment to the reduced oxygen content of the air may take several weeks. In general, ascents should be gradual: one recommendation suggests 2 days for an 8,000-foot elevation gain plus 1 day for each 1,000 to 2,000 feet afterwards.
However, such recommendations are not practical for people who fly to a vacation destination such as a ski resort and must deal with the effects of reduced oxygen all at once. To prevent or treat mild cases of altitude sickness, you should drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and salty foods. If severe symptoms develop, the best response is to descend as rapidly as possible.
Conventional treatments include acetazolamide or dexamethasone for prevention or treatment of mild altitude sickness, and nifedipine for people prone to pulmonary edema. Ibuprofen and related drugs may help with headache.
Treatment
Proposed Treatments for Altitude Sickness:
While there are no well-documented natural treatments for altitude sickness, there are a few promising options.
Ginkgo biloba
A placebo-controlled study of 44 mountaineers on a Himalayan expedition found that 160 mg daily of standardized ginkgo extract taken for five days prior to a gradual ascent reduced symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Unfortunately, the study report does not state whether the trial used a double-blind design.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 26 individuals tested the effectiveness of ginkgo extract begun one day prior to a rapid ascent, and also found benefit.
In the first trial, use of ginkgo also appeared to help reduce symptoms of exposure to cold temperatures, such as pain, numbness, and stiffness in the fingers and toes.
For more information, including dosage and safety issues, see the full ginkgo article.
High-Carbohydrate Diet
High-carbohydrate meals are often recommended for preventing altitude sickness. The reasoning is that carbohydrate ingestion increases carbon dioxide production, which in turn stimulates an increased rate of breathing. However, studies on the subject have produced somewhat contradictory results.
Other Treatments
A double-blind trial of 18 mountaineers climbing to the Mt. Everest base camp found that use of an antioxidant vitamin supplement (providing 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, and 600 mg of lipoic acid daily) significantly improved symptoms of altitude sickness as compared to placebo. Treatment was begun 3 weeks prior to ascent and continued during the 10 days of climbing.
Very weak evidence suggests that magnesium, glutamine, and silymarin, alone or in combination, may be helpful in preventing altitude sickness.
While there are no well-documented natural treatments for altitude sickness, there are a few promising options.
Ginkgo biloba
A placebo-controlled study of 44 mountaineers on a Himalayan expedition found that 160 mg daily of standardized ginkgo extract taken for five days prior to a gradual ascent reduced symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Unfortunately, the study report does not state whether the trial used a double-blind design.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 26 individuals tested the effectiveness of ginkgo extract begun one day prior to a rapid ascent, and also found benefit.
In the first trial, use of ginkgo also appeared to help reduce symptoms of exposure to cold temperatures, such as pain, numbness, and stiffness in the fingers and toes.
For more information, including dosage and safety issues, see the full ginkgo article.
High-Carbohydrate Diet
High-carbohydrate meals are often recommended for preventing altitude sickness. The reasoning is that carbohydrate ingestion increases carbon dioxide production, which in turn stimulates an increased rate of breathing. However, studies on the subject have produced somewhat contradictory results.
Other Treatments
A double-blind trial of 18 mountaineers climbing to the Mt. Everest base camp found that use of an antioxidant vitamin supplement (providing 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, and 600 mg of lipoic acid daily) significantly improved symptoms of altitude sickness as compared to placebo. Treatment was begun 3 weeks prior to ascent and continued during the 10 days of climbing.
Very weak evidence suggests that magnesium, glutamine, and silymarin, alone or in combination, may be helpful in preventing altitude sickness.