High altitude related illness

Encompasses acute mountain sickness, high-altitude pulmonary oedema, and high-altitude cerebral oedema that occurs in lowland residents following an ascent to altitude.

Acute mountain sickness is self-limiting and resolves over a number of days at altitude.

High-altitude pulmonary oedema and cerebral oedema are often fatal if left untreated.

Descent is the most effective form of treatment for all three conditions.

The diagnosis is usually clinical. However, the combination of a remote and hostile environment together with the potential for other medical conditions sometimes makes confirmation of the diagnosis difficult to achieve.

New symptoms at altitude should be assumed to be those of a high-altitude illness until proved otherwise.

High-altitude illness (HAI) encompasses acute mountain sickness, high-altitude pulmonary oedema, and high-altitude cerebral oedema that occurs in lowland residents following an ascent to altitude.