Question 1

what sort of problem is altitude illness?

Accepted Answer

Altitude illness: Altitude illness can be a serious problem. If not recognized early , it can be fatal. The key aspect of prevention is to acclimatize yourself to a medium altitude before you go to high altitude. Consultation with an md can get you medicine to reduce the risk of illness. Many people (eg, skiers at 5000') experience mild illness--jittery, headache, insomnia. These mean it is time to take a break.

Question 2

are the symptoms of altitude illness bad?

Accepted Answer

Yes: High altitude sickness is associated with fluid accumulation in the lungs which causes severe shortness of breath and if left untreated, may be lethal.

Question 3

what do you recommend for altitude illness?

Accepted Answer

Drop in elevation: The best treatment for altitude illness or altitude sickness is to decrease one's elevation by at least 1000 ft (quickly and safely.)  if symptoms do not improve, one needs to descend another 1000 ft.  If one has symptoms of hace (high altitude cerebral edema) or hape (high altitude pulmonary edema) contact search and rescue and arrange for emergent air evacuation.

Question 4

how fast can i make my altitude illness go away?

Accepted Answer

Lower altitude: High altitude illness is a serious issue and I am not sure i understand what you mean by altitude illness.  The treatment for high altitude sickness is evacuation to a lower altitude, diuretic and oxygen.

Question 5

how common is it for somebody to get altitude illness?

Accepted Answer

Common: Almost 1/3 of people have symptoms above 3000 meters (9800 feet) some seem more sensitive at lower altitude. Going up faster, (also sleeping high at night, perhaps not being fit, not using preventative medicine) all increase risk. Altitude illness is first reversible by reversing direction and going back downhill. If ignored--deaths do occur. Take it seriously and learn about symptoms.

Question 6

what are the most common symptoms of altitude illness?

Accepted Answer

Many: Symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, nausea, dizziness or unsteadiness, confusion, mental status changes, shortness of breath and coughing.  When at altitude, descend immediately at least 1000 feet; if no improvement, descend another 1000 feet.  Symptoms of hape and hace (high altitude pulmonary edema and high altitude cerebral edema) require immediate air evacuation.

Question 7

will altitude illness stop me from going on my vacation?

Accepted Answer

Shouldn't: Your dr has several choices to prevent altitude illness including "diamox" a special type of diuretic(water pill), cortisone, nifedipine, or salmeterol.
I usually recommend the "diamox" acetazolamide as it is cheap and easy to use.

Question 8

do lots of people get altitude illness, or is it unusual?

Accepted Answer

At high altitude: Only people climbing to a high altitude get high altitude illness, especially if they do it without proper acclimatization.

Question 9

what is the definition or description of: altitude illness?

Accepted Answer

See below: Altitude sickness—also known as acute mountain sickness (ams), altitude illness, hypobaropathy, "the altitude bends", or soroche—is a pathological effect of high altitude on humans, caused by acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 2, 400 metres (8, 000 feet).

Question 10

how come i have altitude illness, but nobody else in the family has it?

Accepted Answer

Not genetic: Altitude illness is not genetically determined.

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Doctor answers about:

Medicine for altitude illness

A member asked:

What sort of problem is altitude illness?

A member asked:

Are the symptoms of altitude illness bad?

A member asked:

What do you recommend for altitude illness?

A member asked:

How fast can i make my altitude illness go away?

A member asked:

How common is it for somebody to get altitude illness?

A member asked:

What are the most common symptoms of altitude illness?

A member asked:

Will altitude illness stop me from going on my vacation?

A member asked:

Do lots of people get altitude illness, or is it unusual?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: altitude illness?

A member asked:

How come i have altitude illness, but nobody else in the family has it?

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