[Acute mountain sickness and high-altitude pulmonary edema. How to protect the mountain climber from the effects of the "altitude haze"].
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) usually occurs after 6-12 hours of acute exposure to altitudes above 2,500 m. If there is no further altitude gain, it normally resolves spontaneously within a day or two. However, it may, in rare cases, progress to life-threatening cerebral edema. High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a non-cardiogenic edema that is often preceded by symptoms of AMS. The major preventive measure is slow ascent. Acetazolamide and dexamethasone are effective in preventing AMS, while nifedipine is effective only against HAPE. Immediate descent and/or the administration of oxygen is the treatment of choice for both conditions. If this is not possible, dexamethasone may be given for severe AMS and nifedipine for HAPE.
Dehnert
Ch
Ch
Abt. Innere Medizin VII (Sportmedizin), Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universität Heidelberg. peter_bartsch@med.uniheidelberg.de
Schneider
M
M
Mairbäurl
H
H
Bärtsch
P
P
D000086:Acetazolamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000208:Acute Disease; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013997:Time Factors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D009543:Nifedipine; D000086:Acetazolamide