Diseases

Mountain Sickness

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Another term for altitude sickness.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms tend to occur within hours after arrival at high altitude and include headache, nausea, shortness of breath and inability to exercise.

Whole body: inability to exercise, fatigue, loss of appetite, or low oxygen in the body
Sleep: sleepiness or sleeping difficulty
Gastrointestinal: nausea or vomiting
Respiratory: rapid breathing or shortness of breath
Also common: fast heart rate, headache, insufficient urine production, or respiratory distress syndrome

CAUSES

Acute mountain sickness is caused by reduced air pressure and lower oxygen levels at high altitudes. The faster you climb to a high altitude, the more likely you will get acute mountain sickness. You are at higher risk for acute mountain sickness if: you live at or near sea level and travel to a high altitude.