High-altitude illness

Author:

Hackett, Peter H., Roach, Robert C.

Title:

High-altitude illness

Periodical:

New England Journal of Medicine

Year:

2001

Volume:

345

Pages:

107-114

Subject:

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) Altitude mountain sickness (AMS) Pulmonary edema Cerebral edema Altitude hypoxia

Summary:

The cerebral and pulmonary syndromes such as high-altitude cerebral and pulmonary edema that can develop in unacclimatized persons shortly after ascent to high altitude is described as "high-altitude illness" and, though uncommon, are potentially fatal. Since millions of visitors travel to high-altitude locations each year, these conditions are considered public health problems that could have economic consequences -- especially for the ski industry. This document describes the epidemiologic process and risk factors for various individuals based on their age, sex, physical fitness, etc. It also describes the clinical presentation and diagnosis, the pathophysiological process, the treatment and prevention for acute mountain sickness, high-altitude cerebral edema, and high-altitude pulmonary edema.

Label:

Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Date:

2001 July

Collection:

Periodicals