Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): Difference between revisions

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== Outcome Measure ==
== Outcome Measure ==
The severity of the symptoms of AMS progressively increase with higher altitudes. These can be assessed with the [[Lake Louise Questionnaire for the Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness|Lake Louise Questionnaire]]<nowiki/>for the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness. Please see the respective page for information on the Questionnaire.  
The severity of the symptoms of AMS progressively increase with higher altitudes. These can be assessed with the [[Lake Louise Questionnaire for the Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness|Lake Louise Questionnaire]]<nowiki/>for the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness. Please see the respective page for information on the Questionnaire.


== Treatment and Prevention ==
== Treatment and Prevention ==
AMS can be treated by rest and can be prevented by slow or gradual ascent.   
AMS can be treated by rest and can be prevented by slow or gradual ascent.   
As mentioned on the [[High-Altitude Pulmonary Oedema]] page, nifedipine helps with the treatment of HAPE, however it i snot effective with the treatment of AMS. Acetazolamide, which is used for AMS prevention, is seen to blunt hypoxic vasoconstriction in  animal, but is uncertain if that is the same case in humans.     


== Resources  ==
== Resources  ==

Revision as of 00:34, 17 October 2023

Original Editor - Kapil Narale

This article or area is currently under construction and may only be partially complete. Please come back soon to see the finished work! (17/10/2023)

Top Contributors - Kapil Narale, Kim Jackson, Rucha Gadgil and Nupur Smit Shah  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Acute Mountain Sickness is a self-limiting disease, which would be individually variable, and is considered similar to having a hang-over or a migraine. It can be elicited by initial exposure of non-acclimatised individuals to moderate altitude. Moderate altitude would be above 2000-3000m, and is when acute mountain sickness would start to occur, and will get worse with increasing altitude, thus acclimatisation would be very important for performance. [1]

Prevalence and Risk Factors[edit | edit source]

There is a prevalence of 0-25% at moderate altitudes, which depend on individual physical characteristics. Severe obesity and pulmonary disease are some risk factors to consider. [2]


Living or sleeping at moderate altitude would not cause discomfort from hypoxia. Exposures of a few minutes to a few hours at greater altitudes (5000-6000m) are short of a duration to cause AMS, hence would be tolerated by healthy athletes at rest and during exercise. In addition, life-threatening high-altitude pulmonary oedema and cerebral oedema hardly occur below 3000-4000m. However, they can occur after many days of exposure at a higher altitude. [2]

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms can include a headache, and one of: [3]

  • Fatigue,
  • Dizziness,
  • Nausea,
  • Anorexia, or
  • Sleep disturbance.

Outcome Measure[edit | edit source]

The severity of the symptoms of AMS progressively increase with higher altitudes. These can be assessed with the Lake Louise Questionnairefor the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness. Please see the respective page for information on the Questionnaire.

Treatment and Prevention[edit | edit source]

AMS can be treated by rest and can be prevented by slow or gradual ascent.

As mentioned on the High-Altitude Pulmonary Oedema page, nifedipine helps with the treatment of HAPE, however it i snot effective with the treatment of AMS. Acetazolamide, which is used for AMS prevention, is seen to blunt hypoxic vasoconstriction in animal, but is uncertain if that is the same case in humans.

Resources[edit | edit source]

  • bulleted list
  • x

or

  1. numbered list
  2. x

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Bergeron MF, Bahr R, Bartsch P, Bourdon L, Calbet JAL, Carlsen KH, Castagna O, Gonazalez-Alonso J, Lundby C, Maughan RJ, Millet G, Mountjoy M, Racinais S, Rasmussen P, Singh DG, Subudhi AW, Young AJ, Soligard T, Engebretsen L. International Olympic Committee consensus statement on thermoregulatory and altitude challenges for high-level athletes. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2012:46:770-779.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Bergeron MF, Bahr R, Bartsch P, Bourdon L, Calbet JAL, Carlsen KH, Castagna O, Gonazalez-Alonso J, Lundby C, Maughan RJ, Millet G, Mountjoy M, Racinais S, Rasmussen P, Singh DG, Subudhi AW, Young AJ, Soligard T, Engebretsen L. [https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/46/11/770.long International Olympic Committee consensus statement on thermoregulatory and altitude challenges for high-level athletes.] British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2012:46:770-779
  3. Mohajeri S, Perkins B.A, Brubaker P.L, Riddell M.C. Review article - Diabetes, trekking and high altitude: recognizing and preparing for the risks. Diabetic Medicine. 2015:32:1425-2437