Survey of acute mountain sickness on Mauna Kea

Author:

Haley, Amanda, Onopa, Janet, Yeow, Mei Ean

Title:

Survey of acute mountain sickness on Mauna Kea

Periodical:

High Altitude Medicine & Biology

Year:

2007

Volume:

8

Pages:

200-205

Subject:

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) Altitude mountain sickness (AMS) High altitude Lake Louise score Mauna Kea

Summary:

Although thousands of people ascend to the 13,796 foot elevation of Mauna Kea, a volcanic mountain on the island of Hawaii that is the highest land mass in the Pacific Ocean, no information was available on the rate of altitude illness that was triggered by visits that were rapidly achieved via a road that allows for travel from sea level to the summit to be done in less than two hours. Therefore, two surveys are discussed in this document: a survey that was done for tourists who drove to the summit and a survey that was done for astronomy workers who stayed at lodging facilities at a mid-level facility. The surveys included the standardized Lake Louise Self-report Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) Questionnaire that, when scored, gave the Lake Louise Symptoms Score (LLSS). Discussed are the percentage of those who experienced headache, disturbed sleep, fatigue, reduced activity, disorientation or confusion, consciousness changes, mental status changes, and those who took AMS medications. The absence of reported serious altitude illness in the community was probably due to the rapid descent available on Mauna Kea, with prompt reversibility of adverse effects. However, as a result of the statistics that was gathered through this study, it was felt that the incidence of AMS in visitors to Mauna Kea's summit warrants increased education and increased availability of supplemental oxygen at the summit.

Label:

Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Collection:

Periodicals