acute mountain sickness
High-elevation malaise
Acute mountain sickness is a condition caused by rapid ascent to high altitude, where reduced oxygen levels stress the body before it can acclimatize.
Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness, typically appearing above 8,000 feet.
Mild cases resolve with rest or descent; severe cases can progress to life-threatening cerebral or pulmonary edema.
Also called altitude sickness.
Cranial pain
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- dizzinessUnsteady, spinning sensation
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- vomitingExpelling stomach contents orally
insomnia · loss of appetite · shortness of breath · malaise · weakness · disorientation · lightheadedness · lethargy
Insufficient tissue oxygenation
- dyspneaLabored respiration condition
- breathlessnessDifficulty drawing air
- labored breathingEffortful, strained respiration
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
oxygen saturation · cyanosis · pulmonary edema · tachypnea · supplemental oxygen · pulse oximeter · respiratory distress · air hunger
Height above reference point
- high altitudeGreat distance upward
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- peakUtmost height attained
- basecampExpedition's operational center
acclimatization · thin air · oxygen · barometric pressure · atmosphere · descent · climbing · trekking
Moderate in intensity
- moderateLessen intensity or preside
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
- pulmonary edemaExcess fluid in lungs
- comaUnwakeable unconsciousness
ataxia · altered consciousness · emergency descent · evacuation · hyperbaric chamber · hospitalization · fatal · life-threatening
Adjusting to new conditions
- rest daysScheduled recovery time
- hydrationBodily fluid replenishment
- descentDownward slope or lineage
- prophylaxisPreventive medical treatment
altitude training · fitness · pacing · staging · slow ascent
headache
Cranial pain
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- dizzinessUnsteady, spinning sensation
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
vomiting · insomnia · loss of appetite · shortness of breath · malaise · weakness · disorientation · lightheadedness · lethargy · irritability
hypoxia
Insufficient tissue oxygenation
- dyspneaLabored respiration condition
- breathlessnessDifficulty drawing air
- labored breathingEffortful, strained respiration
hyperventilation · oxygen saturation · cyanosis · pulmonary edema · tachypnea · supplemental oxygen · pulse oximeter · respiratory distress · air hunger · gasping
elevation
Height above reference point
- high altitudeGreat distance upward
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- peakUtmost height attained
basecamp · acclimatization · thin air · oxygen · barometric pressure · atmosphere · descent · climbing · trekking · expedition
mild
Moderate in intensity
- moderateLessen intensity or preside
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
- pulmonary edemaExcess fluid in lungs
coma · ataxia · altered consciousness · emergency descent · evacuation · hyperbaric chamber · hospitalization · fatal · life-threatening · deterioration
acclimatization
Adjusting to new conditions
prophylaxis · altitude training · fitness · pacing · staging · slow ascent
acute, acutely, acuteness, mountain, mountains, mountainous, mountaineer, mountaineering, sick