title: [Etiology, clinical aspects and therapy of altitude sickness].
abstract: Experimental and clinical tests carried out over the last few years have brought many new and important insights into the pathophysiology of the so-called high-altitude sickness. Overall, new, scientifically proven methods for the acute therapy of various forms of high-altitude sickness have been made, which can be used for medical practice. Azetazolamide: The clinical effectiveness and the improvement of the exchange of body gases seem to be, to a large extent, scientifically proven. Dexamethasone: Several scientifically controlled studies have proven the effectiveness of dexamethasone regarding the relief of symptoms mainly concerning cerebral high-altitude oedema. Controlled studies confirm a significant reduction of symptoms, compared to placebo methods, the effects vanishing after a 12-hour therapy. Nifedipine: The prescription of nifedipine for radiologically proven high-altitude oedema often leads to a clinical improvement, to an improved oxygenation, to a reduction of the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, as well as the pulmonary-arterial pressure and, thus, to a great extent, leads to progrediental oedema dissolution. However, in the practice of high-altitude hiking, this therapy has its natural limits and therefore must not lead to the neglection of prophylactics, which means, consistent acclimatisation regarding the classical rules of high-altitude hiking.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Sportwissenschaften, Universität Salzburg.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berghold
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schobersberger
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000086:Acetazolamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005665:Furosemide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D005665:Furosemide; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000086:Acetazolamide; D001241:Aspirin; D010100:Oxygen
vernacular_title: Atiologie, Klinik und Therapie der Höhenkrankheit.