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How to Beat Acute Mountain Sickness

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) usually affects mountain climbers, skiers, hikers, or anyone who rapidly reaches a high altitude (usually around 8000 feet). It is caused by reduced air pressure and a lower concentration of oxygen. The two most affected parts of your body are your lungs and your brain (which may swell). The main key to fighting AMS is prevention. Properly preparing yourself for the climb is worth more than all the AMS treatment knowledge in the world.

Things You'll Need

  • Pain medication (aspirin, ibuprofen, Tylenol)
  • Optional (but helpful):
  • Supplemental oxygen
  • Diamox
  • Decadron
  • Climbing partner
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Instructions

  1. Beat Acute Mountain Sickness

    • 1

      Know the symptoms of each stage of AMS (acute mountain sickness). Mild AMS is characterized by mild headache and slight nausea, which may cause a small amount of vomiting, if any at all. You may suffer from a loss of appetite, slight dizziness, mild fatigue, or shortness of breath. Moderate AMS will produce severe headaches and moderate fatigue. Severe AMS will cause severe fatigue and shortness of breath, even after resting. You may become ataxic, which will prevent you from walking straight. Changes in consciousness and mental status are also symptoms of severe AMS. Finally you may get a cough with gurgling sounds, which signifies liquid in your lungs. Prevention of severe AMS is highly important.

    • 2

      Drink plenty of fluids and eat food high in carbohydrates. Avoid alcohol and sedatives. If hiking to over 3000 meters high, bring a supply of oxygen sufficient to last several days. Prevention of any stage of AMS is the best way to prevent danger to yourself.

    • 3

      Take a mild pain reliever such as aspirin or ibuprofen to treat mild AMS. Avoid sedatives (including alcohol and narcotics) as this will depress your respiration. Either rest at your current altitude or descend to a lower altitude until your body has time to fully adapt. You may also take Diamox to increase respiration, but this is a prescription drug and you'll need to talk to a doctor before obtaining it.

    • 4

      Treat moderate AMS with pain medication and rest. Once again, avoid sedatives. Your best possible course of action is an immediate descent of 1000-2000 feet from your current location so your body can adapt. Steroids and supplemental oxygen can be used to help symptoms at this point. Decadron can be taken to reduce brain swelling. Keep an eye out for worsening symptoms, as this could be a sign of severe AMS. If severe AMS occurs, an emergency descent will be necessary, which makes it important to handle symptoms before they go past the moderate stage.

    • 5

      Treat severe AMS using all of the steps explained above along with an immediate descent of 2000-4000 feet. Do not exert yourself too much, but make sure you are continuously descending. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

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