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Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
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Most problems at high altitude are caused by climbing too fast after 3 000 m, which prevents an adequate adaptation to the lower partial oxygen pressures, a feature of these places. Physical condition and sex seem, after all, not to have a great incidence in the problems that could arise in altitude. The problems in altitude should affect in less degree older people because of their slower walking rhythm and their experience. Personal experience and the numerous expeditions that we have organized have shown us that every case of serious acute mountain sickness was somehow announced. Only the participants’ obsession with reaching the summit and not reckoning in the AMS symptoms have lead to jeopardize not only their own lives, but also their expedition mates’.
Slight symptoms
AMS symptoms start with slight dizziness, accompanied with an unsure step, fast breathing, loss of appetite, a slight headache, urinary retention and respiratory difficulties (dysnea) at nights. If these symptoms persist more than two days, some measures have to be taken.
Measures
Do not continue ascending until feeling better. Medication, in most cases, only hides the symptoms and lead to dangerous side effects. Thus, it is not advised to take any medicine, especially analgesics, sleeping pills or Diamox. The affected person must rest with the trunk straight, which helps breathing. Liquids should be taken often and in small quantities, even without thirst.
Serious symptoms
If the affected person continues to climb, the seriousness of the symptoms increases, too. The lack of appetite worsens, becomes nausea and triggers vomiting. Headaches get partially unbearable and Aspirin can barely help it. In addition, oedemas can appear in the hypodermis (the deepest skin layer). These are easy to recognize since they show through the swelling of eyelids, cheeks and fingers. Besides, the body is quite weakened and the affected person looks apathetic. In these cases, it is necessary to take immediate action. The person must descend until feeling better.
Measures
In most cases, a 300 m to 500 m descent usually leads to a fast and clear improvement. Additionally, all points mentioned in the slight symptoms section are important to look into. The person who craves for oxygen, in the mountains of Chile, is not in conditions to climb and should descend immediately.
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