Acute mountain sickness - AMS

It is a disease that appears in people who are above an altitude of 2500 meters (8200 feet). It is caused by reduced levels of oxygen at high altitudes. Ascending too fast facilitates its onset and neither age nor physical condition provide protection. The most common symptoms are: headache, sleep disturbance, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, vertigo and an inability to walk in a straight line. These appear 6 to 12 hours after reaching the altitude and are typically resolved without treatment. If there is severe shortness of breath, the skin turns a bluish color, there is disorientation, stupor, low level of consciousness and phlegm with blood and pale skin, then more severe complications must be considered: cerebral edema due to altitude and pulmonary edema due to altitude. Diagnosis is clinical. In severe cases, treatment includes descending as soon as possible, administering oxygen and treating the symptoms with diuretics and anti-inflammatory drugs.