title: High altitude illness
abstract: High-altitude illness is a result of prolonged high-altitude exposure of unacclimatized individuals. The illness is seen in the form of acute mountain sickness (AMS) which if not treated leads to potentially life-threatening high altitude pulmonary oedema and high-altitude cerebral oedema. Medical problems are caused by hypobaric hypoxia stimulating hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) release. As a result, the central nervous system, circulation and respiratory system function impairment occurs. The most important factor in AMS treatment is acclimatization, withdrawing further ascent and rest or beginning to descent; oxygen supplementation, and pharmacological intervention, and, if available, a portable hyperbaric chamber. Because of the popularity of high-mountain sports and tourism better education of the population at risk is essential.
authors.affiliation: Provincial Clinical Hospital No 1 in Rzeszów
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hartman-Ksycińska
authors.affiliation: University of Rzeszów, Institute of Obstetrics and Medical Rescue
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kluz-Zawadzka
authors.affiliation: Chair of Medical Rescue
authors.forename: Bogumił
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lewandowski
mesh_terms: D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D051793:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1
chemical_list: D051793:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1