What is mountain sickness?
Mountain sickness can develop in climbers, skiers, hikers, and any adventure seeker who is attracted to mountain travel at high altitudes.
As a rule, it appears at 2,400 meters above sea level.
As you know, the higher a person climbs, the oxygen level decreases - in itself, the level of physical exertion of the person also plays a big role.
Symptoms of mountain sickness in mild form are:
- Dizziness;
- Headache;
- Muscle pain;
- Insomnia;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Irritation;
- Loss of apetite;
- Sweating of hands, feet, face;
- Accelerated heartbeat;
- Shortness of breath.
During the acute course, of course, the symptoms characteristic of mountain sickness are much more intense, severe and affect the heart, lungs, muscles and nervous system. For example, as a result of cerebral edema, confusion appears, and against the background of fluid in the lungs, respiratory failure.
Symptoms of acute mountain sickness include:
- Cough;
- A feeling of tightness in the chest;
- Paleness and skin color change;
- It is difficult for a person to maintain his balance and he is no longer able to move;
- Social distance.
Call an ambulance immediately after experiencing acute symptoms. Management of the disease is much easier in the initial stage than as it progresses.
Other risk factors include:
- You are speeding towards the top of the mountain;
- You are traveling in an extremely high area;
- Anemia in the anamnesis;
- History of heart or lung disease;
- You drink medicine that reduces the level of breathing; In the past, you have already experienced the discomfort characteristic of mountain sickness.
The course of treatment for mountain sickness depends on the severity of the pathology.
You will avoid health complications if you return to a lower altitude.
In case of cerebral edema or fluid in the lungs, it is necessary to hospitalize the traveler.
If the doctor notices that you are having trouble breathing, you will be given a ventilator.
Depending on the symptoms, a painkiller, pressure reducer, lung inhaler and other appropriate medication to relieve the symptoms may be prescribed.
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