How to Identify Altitude Illness

There are three gradations of altitude illness: the mild form called acute mountain sickness (AMS) and the severe forms known as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Be able to identify these conditions, as immediate treatment, especially of HAPE and HACE, can mean the difference between life and death.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

1. Watch for symptoms such as headaches, loss of appetite, lethargy, nausea, sleep disturbances, vomiting and little urination. These are all symptoms of acute mountain sickness.
2. Watch for symptoms such as extreme weakness or fatigue; shortness of breath combined with a racing heart, even after rest; a dry, raspy cough similar to bronchitis; blue lips and fingernails; and gurgling sounds in the chest. All are indicative of high altitude pulmonary edema. Also check for a higher-than-threshold respiration rate after 20 minutes of rest.
3. Look for symptoms like a loss of balance, extreme headaches, confusion, irrationality and, in more extreme but not uncommon cases, temporary blindness, hallucinations and coma. All are symptoms of high altitude cerebral edema.

Tips & Warnings

• A common threshold for respiration rate is 20 times per minute at an altitude of 4,200 meters (14,000 feet).
• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend that you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.