What is mountain sickness?

It is a condition that can affect people who ascend to an altitude above 2,500 meters (about 8,200 feet), due to a reduction in atmospheric pressure and the low concentration of oxygen.

Mountain sickness, also known as altitude sickness, can be mild or potentially fatal, as it can compromise the heart, muscles, lungs, and nervous system.

It generally occurs for one of the following reasons:

• Ascending too quickly instead of gradually.
• Consumption of alcohol and other substances that impede acclimatization.
• Lack of acclimatization to the altitude.
• Having an existing coronary, pulmonary, or nervous system disease.
• Living at sea level and traveling to a high altitude.

Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, manifesting the following:

• Fatigue.
• Confusion.
• Weakness.
• Nausea.
• Headache.
• Loss of appetite.
• Shortness of breath, especially at rest.
• Nausea.
• Congested or tight chest.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Pale or grayish skin.
• Problems walking.
• Accelerated heart rate.
• Coughing up blood.
• Sleep disorders.
• Vertigo (dizziness).
• Vomiting.

If not treated promptly, mountain sickness can cause pulmonary or cerebral edema (swelling), which can lead to seizures, coma, or death.

In addition to performing a physical exam, the doctor will request the following studies:

• Blood tests.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG).
• Chest X-rays.
• Computed Tomography (CT scan).

The treatment for mountain sickness depends on the severity, but generally includes medications to open the airways and improve blood flow to the lungs, oxygen, or a mechanical ventilator in severe cases.

In the Department of Internal Medicine at Centro Médico ABC, we provide the highest quality and safest medical care services, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up for infectious, respiratory, endocrine, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies—covering both chronic-degenerative conditions and acute cases—through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

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