Determine Health Hazards Associated with High Altitude?
Abrupt exposure to altitudes greater than 10,000 ft (3050 in) elevation is frequently associated with symptoins of altitude sickness. Altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a general term referring to a combination of symptoms, including headaches, anorexia, nausea, vomiting and malaise. The condition improves automatically with acclimatization. Best way to avoid AMS is gradual ascent at heights above 3000 m and stay for 2-3 days at every 1000 m elevation. The gradual acclimatization to progressively higher altitude exposure is the best preventive medicine for high altitude sickness. Life threatening conditions in susceptible individuals are high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral oedema (HACE). In both the cases, immediate evacuation to lower altitude is prescribed after the initial treatment. Other problems are cold injuries such as frostbite and chilblains, and can be prevented using adequate precautions.