PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Andrew M. Luks
AU  - Erik R. Swenson
AU  - Peter Bärtsch
TI  - Acute high-altitude sickness
AID  - 10.1183/16000617.0096-2016
DP  - 2017 Mar 31
TA  - European Respiratory Review
PG  - 160096
VI  - 26
IP  - 143
4099  - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/26/143/160096.short
4100  - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/26/143/160096.full
SO  - EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW2017 Mar 31; 26
AB  - At any point 1–5 days following ascent to altitudes ≥2500 m, individuals are at risk of developing one of three forms of acute altitude illness: acute mountain sickness, a syndrome of nonspecific symptoms including headache, lassitude, dizziness and nausea; high-altitude cerebral oedema, a potentially fatal illness characterised by ataxia, decreased consciousness and characteristic changes on magnetic resonance imaging; and high-altitude pulmonary oedema, a noncardiogenic form of pulmonary oedema resulting from excessive hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction which can be fatal if not recognised and treated promptly. This review provides detailed information about each of these important clinical entities. After reviewing the clinical features, epidemiology and current understanding of the pathophysiology of each disorder, we describe the current pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches to the prevention and treatment of these diseases.Lack of acclimatisation is the main risk factor for acute altitude illness; descent is the optimal treatment http://ow.ly/45d2305JyZ0