High-altitude cough

It is the cough that appears when climbing high mountains. It usually appears above 4500-5000 m / 15000-16000 ft.

It is thought to be caused by multiple factors: the cold, dry air of the mountain breathed in through the mouth (due to frequent nasal congestion and the effort required when moving at high altitude) and inflammation of the lungs (subclinical pulmonary edema).

It manifests as a dry cough without expectoration. When the mucosa of the nose dry out, this increases the likelihood of both nosebleeds and bacterial superinfection.

It is diagnosed by the occurrence of cough coinciding with climbing to high altitudes.

Characteristically, once the condition appears, it is resistant to cough medications. In order to prevent it, drinking fluids, taking cough pills, as well as applying mentholated creams or saline solution mixed with glycerine to the nostrils, to keep them moist and prevent the cough from appearing. If it appears, sucking honey-and-lemon sweets usually alleviates the cough.