Acute mountain sickness

Terms in this set (14)

What are the general considerations for acute mountain sickness (AMS)
AMS is due to hypobaric hypoxia at high altitudes (greater than 6560 feet), usually as a result of increased physical activity with insufficient acclimatization, inaequate education and preparation and individual susceptibility.
What are the initial manifestations of acute mountain sickness
(1) Headache (Severe and persistent)
(2) Lassitude
(3) Drowsiness/Dizziness
(4) Chilliness/Nausea and vomiting
(5) Facial pallor/Dyspnea and cyanosis
What are the late symptoms of acute mountain sickness
(1) Facial flushing/Irritability
(2) Difficulty concentrating/Vertigo
(3) Tinnitus/Visual and Auditory disturbances
(4) Anorexia/Insomnia
(5) Increased dyspnea/Weakness on exertion
(6) Palpitations/Tachycardia
(7) Cheyne-stokes breathing/Weight loss
(8) Increased headaches due to cerebral edema
What does HAPE stand for?
High altitude Pulmonary Edema
What does HACE stand for?
High altitude Cerebral Edema
What does HAFE stand for?
High altitude Flatulence Expulsions
Leading cause of death from altitude illness
Usually occurs at levels above 3000 meters (9840) feet
Early symptoms may appear within 6-36 hours after arrival at a high-altitude area
HAPE
HIGH ALTITUDE PULMONARY EDEMA
Early: incessant dry cough, shortness of breath disproportionate to exertion, headache, decreased exercise performance, fatigue, dyspnea at rest, and chest tightness.

Later: wheezing,orthopnea, and hemoptysis may occur as pulmonary edema worsens

These are signs and symptoms of which type of acute mountain sickness
HAPE
HIGH ALTITUDE PULMONARY EDEMA
What are the physical findings of HAPE
1) The clinical picture may resemble severe pneumonia
2) Tachycardia, mild fever, tachypnea, cyanosis, prolonged respiration, and rales and rhonchi
An extension of the central nervous system symptoms of AMS and results from cerebral vasogenic edema and hypoxia.
Usually occurs at elevations above 2500 meters (8250 feet) and is more common in unacclimatized individuals
This is the description of which type of acute mountain sickness
HACE
High altitude Cerebral Edema
Severe headaches, confusion, truncal ataxia, urinary retention or incontinence focal deficits, papilledema, nausea, vomiting, and seizures.

These are the signs and symptoms of what type of acute mountain sickness
HACE
High altitude Cerebral Edema
a) Immediate descent for at least 610 meters (2000 feet), continuing until symptoms improve until symptoms improve.
b) Oxygen (100% 2-4 L/min) should be administered by mask
c) Acetazolamide (250mg orally every 8-12 hours)
d) Dexamethasone, 4-8 mg orally every 6 hours, is recommended thereafter
e) If immediate descent is possible, a portable hyberbaric chamber should be used until symptomatic improvement occurs

This is the treatment for which acute motion sickness condition
HACE...
This acute mountain sickness is strictly associated with the ascent and is characterized by an increase in both volume and the frequency of passage of flatus which commonly occurs in altitudes of 11,000 or greater.

Represents a significant inconvenience to the patient and at times could be debilitating
HAFE
The use of digestive enzymes and simethicone may minimize the hazard.

This is the treatment of which type of acute mountain sickness.
HAFE
High altitude Flatulence Expulsions
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