Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Altitude sickness history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Patients with altitude sickness may have a positive history of underlying lung disease and substances or conditions that interfere with acclimatization. Common symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, dizziness, fatigue, cyanosis.
History
History
High Altitude Categories:
| Classification | Altitude(mts) | Altitude(feet) |
| High altitude | 1,500-3,500 mts | 4,921-11,483 feet |
| Very high altitude | 3,500-5,500 mts | 11,483-18,045 feet |
| Extreme altitude | 5,500-8,850 mts | 18,045-29,035 feet |
Patients with altitude sickness may have a positive history of:
- Substances (alcohol) or conditions that interfere with acclimatization
- Comorbidities that interfere with respiration such as neuromuscular disease or pulmonary hypertension
- Sleep apnea
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Restrictive lung disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Carotid artery surgery or neck radiation
Symptoms
Symptoms
- Common symptoms of altitude sickness include:[1][2]
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus
- Breathlessness
- Palpitations
- Sleep disturbance
- Fatigue
- Anorexia
- Mental confusion
- Cyanosis
- Dilation of veins
- Loss of appetite
- Less common symptoms of altitude sickness include:[3]
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid pulse (heart rate)
- Shortness of breath with exertion
- Chest tightness or congestion
- Confusion
- Cough
- Coughing up blood
- Decreased consciousness or withdrawal from social interaction
- Gray or pale complexion
- Inability to walk in a straight line, or to walk at all
- Shortness of breath at rest
References
References
- ↑ Taylor AT (January 2011). “High-altitude illnesses: physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment”. Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2 (1): e0022. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10022. PMC 3678789. PMID 23908794.
- ↑ Schoene RB (August 2008). “Illnesses at high altitude”. Chest. 134 (2): 402–416. doi:10.1378/chest.07-0561. PMID 18682459.
- ↑ Basnyat B, Murdoch DR (June 2003). “High-altitude illness”. Lancet. 361 (9373): 1967–74. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13591-X. PMID 12801752.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farima Kahe M.D. [2]