The oxygen level and air pressure in the atmosphere drop as the height above sea level rises, and the human body must adjust to the new environment over time. The only difference is that some people will experience minor symptoms while others may have severe symptoms. Acute mountain sickness is a frequent form of altitude sickness that affects roughly 60% of trekkers who trek to high altitudes (above 2,500 meters).

“Altitude Sickness” is communal in the sub-alpine (the higher slopes of mountains just below the tree line) & alpine zone (mountain above the tree-line). However, if you travel to a higher altitude than, your body will require some time to acclimatize to shift in air pressure & to be a normal. You become familiar to the air pressure if you reside in an area with a relatively high altitude. The symptoms appear gradually as we go high altitude levels.

How high? Altitude sickness may strike anyone who ascend rapidly over 8,200 feet (2,500 m). As you ascend to high altitude, the density of air pressure drops and amount of oxygen available decrease. Why It happens? there is a density of the air that surrounds you is a barometric pressure. Dizziness, headaches, muscular pains, and nausea can all seem like hangover symptoms in the beginning. It is the mildest and most frequent type of the sickness. Many people, especially those going to higher elevations, suffer from AMS. Medicines such as Diamox (Acetazolamide), Dexamethasone, or Nifedipine are directed if the patient’s start to feel altitude sickness.Īcute Mountain Sickness (AMS): Why It Happens & How High?Īcute Mountain Sickness, in general, is less hazardous if you are cautious in previous phases of symptom.Altitude Sickness Prevention Medication.Measures to Prevent Cerebral and Pulmonary Edema.The following are some of the signs and symptoms of HACE:.The following are some of the signs and symptoms of HAPE:.The following are some of the most popular trekking areas in Nepal that have chances of AMS:.More Symptoms of AMS are pointed below:.What are the Symptoms of Altitude Sickness?.Altitude Sickness Symptom: Who gets it?.Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): Why It Happens & How High?.It can prevent very easily which we will talk later. But you should be careful while ascending over 2500 meters. It is not a lethal sickness that may affect to everyone. Thousands of individuals have lose their life due to lack of knowledge. However, altitude sickness manifest itself when we ascend rapidly at high altitude above 2500 m. Symptoms seldom manifest themselves below 2500 meters (8202 ft.).Īt what height does altitude sickness start? Actually, at an elevation of 2000 meters, minor symptoms such as breathlessness might occur. It can affect anyone therefore, we can’t predict who will be affected based on factors such as gender, age, or even physical fitness level. It will be impossible to predict who may suffer from altitude sickness. What is altitude sickness? Altitude sickness is a frequent pathological illness that occurs due to our bodies unable to acclimatize adequately at high altitudes.ĭefinition: High Altitude Sickness, or AMS, an abbreviation for “Acute Mountain Sickness,” is a condition caused by a shortage of oxygen at a higher height.

Altitude sickness treatment