Symptoms of AMS

In this article, we shall discuss the steps and measures trekkers have to take once it is suspected that they have AMS. But before we get into that there are a few points to keep in mind

• Older trekkers do not have a higher chance of getting AMS. Likewise, even young trekkers don’t have a higher or lower risk. It can happen to anyone.
• Your fitness level doesn’t matter much when it comes to AMS. However, quite surprisingly, the fitter the trekker, more are the chances of getting hit by AMS, as a faster trek gives the body less time to acclimatize to higher altitudes.
• Smokers have a higher likelihood of getting AMS as they have reduced lung capacity and the oxygen processing ability of their lungs are greatly diminished.
• Your level of experience in the mountains also plays no part on your likelihood of being affected by altitude sickness. Even experienced trekkers can and do get AMS.
• Ascending a mountain rapidly is another contributing factor to AMS. Climbing no more than 1000 ft in a day is advisable in order to acclimatize in a healthy manner.

Now, let us get into the symptoms of AMS — Trekkers could be affected by one, or a combination of symptoms like:

1.) Nausea
2.) Dizziness
3.) Headaches
4.) Weakness and Fatigue

It is extremely crucial that the initial signs and symptoms of AMS are taken seriously and all remedial treatment has begun once a person is diagnosed, as the condition of the patient only deteriorates with time, and can lead to life threatening situations.

Initial and subsequent steps one needs to take once they have been hit with AMS

1. The patient should stop ascending the mountain immediately on the slightest hint of any of the symptoms. From here on, the patient should only descend and keep descending till all symptoms have disappeared.
2. Give the person plenty of liquids, and make him/her rest.
3. Descending to the next available campsite is not the solution as the patient could very well have been hit with AMS at that point, and so, descending to below 7500 ft is the best course of action he/she should take.
4. The patient must seek immediate medical attention on arrival at lower altitudes.

AMS can also progress and develop into more complicated issues like High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Extra caution needs to be taken to prevent AMS from progressing into HAPE or HACE in the first place as it makes the difference between life and death.

A comprehensive table outlining the management and prevention of high altitude sicknesses is available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4923381/

References:

1.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4923381/
2.) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/altitude-sickness/
3.) https://www.himalayanclub.org/downloads/acclimatisation-healthy-in-high-himalayas.pdf