Unfinished - Altitude illness/Acute mountain sickness - Ad astra !

Altitude illness  is a pretty fuzzy state with a lot of non-specific symptoms. I find this physiological response to hypoxia, or rather lack of response, to be quite intriguing. It is almost impossible to predict who will be affected. I had convinced myself that I would, after visiting Aguille du midi in Chamonix with a cable car. There of course it was quite a rapid ascent with no time to acclimatize. Others that I have spoken to who have experienced acute mountain sickness, AMS, have done so after rapid ascents with no acclimatization and have noticed it with severe headaches and a general feeling of illness and in the worst case, confusion and altered level of consciousness. AMS is a lethal condition if it gets bad!!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-06/australian-man-dies-trekking-in-nepal/8327104

 

AMS

Altitude illness presents itself in a wide range of symptoms and in its most simple form it will present itself due to lack of acclimatization time. The symptoms are non-specific. Peripheral oedema is often seen (swollen ankles for example).

The body's reaction to a lowered level of oxygen due to the altitude is to increase the rate of respiration and pulse. It seems that some people have a less effective adaptation which then leads to the aforementioned symptoms. Who adapts well and who doesn't is difficult to predict.

The most important symptom is headache in association to a gain in altitude together with one of the following:

• Gastrointestinal disturbance

• Fatigue/weakness

• Dizziness/light-headedness

• Difficulty sleeping

The symptoms may be worse in the morning.
Susceptibility is individual and depends upon the speed of ascent, the gain in altitude and the time spent at that altitude. Some individuals will be affected at 2000 m above sea level. The incidence between 3500 and 4500 m is reported to be between 30 to 45 %.


Lake Louise AMS Self-Assessment Score

When you arrive at a new altitude it is normal to score up to 3 (bed rest recommended). The number should decline the following days. More than 3 should ring some alarm bells.