Altitude Illness
Description
Altitude sickness occurs when you cannot get enough oxygen from the air at high altitudes. This causes symptoms such as nausea, headache, fluid in the lungs, confusion and coma. It happens most often when people who are not used to high altitudes go quickly from lower altitudes to 8000 ft or higher.
Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, poor sleeping, confusion.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. Labs, X-ray, and a CT scan may be performed if neurologic symptoms are present. Additional tests may include oxygen saturation measurement.
- CBC
- Chem 12
- UA
- X-Ray
- EKG
Treatment
Treatment includes: oxygen, taking the patient down to a lower elevation, acetazolamide (Diamox), and/or dexamethazone (Decadron).
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