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 physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Physical examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually remarkable for headache, nausea, vomiting and lightheadedness.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
- Physical examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually remarkable for headache, nausea, vomiting and lightheadedness.[1][2][3][4]
Appearance of the Patient
- Patients with altitude sickness usually appear cyanotic.
Vital Signs
- Hypothermia may be present
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
- High/low blood pressure with normal pulse pressure / wide pulse pressure / narrow pulse pressure
Skin
- Pale or bluish appearance
HEENT
Neck
- Neck examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually normal.
Lungs
Heart
- Cardiovascular examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually normal.
Abdomen
- Abdominal examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually normal.
Back
- Back examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually normal.
Genitourinary
- Genitourinary examination of patients with altitude sickness is usually normal.
Neuromuscular
- Altered mental status may be present
- Loss of coordination
Extremities
- Cyanosis may be present
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.
- ↑ Murdoch D (March 2010). “Altitude sickness”. BMJ Clin Evid. 2010. PMC 2907615. PMID 21718562.
- ↑ Clarke C (November 2006). “Acute mountain sickness: medical problems associated with acute and subacute exposure to hypobaric hypoxia”. Postgrad Med J. 82 (973): 748–53. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2006.047662. PMC 2660503. PMID 17099095.
- ↑ Carod-Artal FJ (2014). “High-altitude headache and acute mountain sickness”. Neurologia. 29 (9): 533–40. doi:10.1016/j.nrl.2012.04.015. PMID 22703629.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Farima Kahe M.D. [2]