Altitude illness – Also known as hypobaropathy or acute mountain sickness, is a medical condition that is caused by exposure to low pressure of oxygen at high altitude. Moving to a higher altitude rapidly doesn’t allow the body enough time to acclimate and adjust to reduced oxygen and changes in air pressure, causing hypobaric hypoxia- a lack of oxygen reaching the cells of the body. As more people are travelling to areas of high altitude for recreational purposes, altitude illness has become a greater public health concern. Other risk factors for altitude illness include a history of previous altitude illness, obesity, genetic makeup, current respiratory infection, over-exertion at altitude, and drinking alcohol the first night at altitude.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) – Is the mildest and most common form of altitude illness.
Symptoms Of AMS Include:
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Difficulty concentrating
Lack of coordination
Dizziness
Loss of appetite
Insomnia
Shortness of breath during exertion
Swelling of extremities
However, most of these symptoms will occur 4,000 to 5,000 meters above sea level.
Two Fatal Forms Of Altitude Illness Are:
HAPE (high altitude pulmonary edema) – HAPE is characterized by the accumulation of bodily fluids within the lungs, making breathing extremely difficult for the sufferer. Symptoms include wet cough with frothy sputum, gurgling respirations, shortness of breath at rest, and fever. HAPE usually occurs after spending more than 24 hours at high altitude.
HACE (high altitude cerebral edema) – HACE is a medical condition in which fluids build up within the brain. If left untreated, HACE may lead to brain swelling, which in turn can result in coma and even death. Typical symptoms of high altitude cerebral edema include impaired walking and coordination, loss of muscle coordination, mental confusion, lethargy, dizziness and coma.
How Is Altitude Illness Treated?
Individuals with altitude illness often attribute the aforementioned symptoms to other causes such as a sudden change in weather, bad food, unhygienic living conditions, or an uncomfortable bed. If symptoms do persist however, especially headache and nausea, one should reach a medical facility immediately to avoid the complications associated with this disorder. The diagnosis of altitude illness is based on symptoms such as fever, palpitation, faster-than-normal breathing rates and rattling sounds from lungs. A physician may also order pulse oximetry, a test which measures the oxygen saturation of the blood.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Is very effective in treating altitude illness. It makes use of specially designed chambers that can withstand high oxygen pressures. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy floods the tissues with oxygen, relieving the symptoms of altitude sickness. Breathing deeply every few minutes decreases the level of carbon dioxide in the blood, which results in higher oxygen levels in the blood. Medical treatment includes compazine, a medication that improves the breathing rate in response to low-oxygen environments. Diamox is another effective medication that hastens acclimatization.
Preventive Measures For Altitude Illness Include:
Ascending slowly
Climbing with experienced guides
Increasing your daily fluid intake
Wearing light colored clothes
Avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption
Proper diet and exercise can also play an important role in preventing altitude illness because you will be in a better physical shape to adjust to the low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude.
Physiotherapy can play an important role in preparing you for the trip.
Consult a physiotherapy expert at i Physio Perth to improve your physical fitness and overall health. Call (08) 94448729 now!