Effects of acute increases in altitude on mental status: prevention and treatment.
Healthy individuals may develop mental status changes and somatic symptoms, known as acute altitude (or mountain) sickness, when rapidly ascending to higher altitudes. Patients with cardiopulmonary and neurologic problems and elderly individuals are at an increased risk for developing these symptoms. This article describes the symptomatology and risk factors for the condition and presents four case examples. Preventive and treatment measures are recommended.
Flynn
C F
CF
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver.
Thompson
T L
TL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000523:psychology*; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors