Mountain Sickness, a disease that often attacks when riding a mountain

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Climbing a mountain is one of the hobbies that are popular with teenagers in recent years. However, did you know that climbing which is not accompanied by careful preparation can actually endanger the climbers? One condition that can threaten safety when climbing is acute mountain sickness (AMS).

AMS or often referred to as mountain sickness can occur when climbers are staying or staying overnight at a certain height. About 25% of this mountain disease is experienced when climbers are at an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level (masl), and around 40-50% occur when climbers are at an altitude of 3000 masl. This condition can occur in old and young, male or female, although some studies suggest women are more often affected than men. This condition is caused by decreasing oxygen levels and decreasing air pressure when climbing to a higher place.

What makes me at risk for acute mountain sickness?

Until now there is no diagnostic tool that can predict the exact incidence of this mountain disease, but the incidence of this disease usually increases when the following risk factors are found:

  • Has a history of previous AMS
  • Drinking alcohol or excessive activity when the body has not adapted to height
  • Climbing is too fast (reaching a height of 2700 masl in less than 1 day)
  • Has a medical condition that affects the respiratory system
  • Not used to being in a high place

The acute symptom of mountain sickness

Symptoms and signs of AMS usually occur within a few hours to 1 day, symptoms that arise can be mild to severe symptoms. The following are symptoms and signs if you experience AMS:

  • Headache
  • Dizzy
  • Tired
  • Can not sleep (often wake up while sleeping)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting

If not handled properly, this AMS can continue in worse conditions, in the form of brain edema and pulmonary edema. In the condition of edema fluid buildup occurs, so that the function of the organ is disrupted. The sign of edema in the lung is that the patient feels tight or has difficulty breathing, and this condition is often aggravated by sleeping position, and is lightened by sitting or standing position. While brain edema is usually characterized by feelings of weakness, dizziness, decreased consciousness that is easily recognized by speech that is raving or sufferers who appear to be often touched, such as drunk people or in some cases such as possessed people.

What should be done when acute mountain sickness symptoms appear?

If any of the above signs and symptoms are found, beware, you or your climbing partner may be experiencing an AMS attack. Temporarily stopping climbing is an effective therapy for AMS, allowing your body to rest and get used to oxygen levels and low air pressure at high altitudes. When resting, you are not recommended to drink alcohol or do excessive activity.

The symptoms above will usually improve along with the condition of the climber's body that has adapted, but if within 24-48 hours the conditions do not improve or even get worse, climbers must go down the mountain. Most climbers feel the symptoms get better when they drop as high as 500-800 masl, but if the conditions remain unchanged, climbers are advised to go down to basecamp climbing and asking for help from the medical team there.

Drugs that can be used to treat acute mountain sickness

Drugs that can be given to reduce the symptoms of AMS include paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce the pain or dizziness suffered, ondansetron or promethazin to reduce nausea and vomiting. Asetazolamide and dexamethason are one of the drugs that are often used both for prevention and treatment of AMS. Oxygen can also be given if symptoms are severe, and can be stopped when symptoms improve. Consult your doctor first about whether or not the use of therapy above is needed and what dosage is recommended.

How do you prevent acute mountain sickness when riding a mountain?

Early detection and rapid handling are important for AMS. AMS that is not handled properly can have fatal consequences, even causing death. The position of sufferers who are on the mountain is also a challenge because of the difficult terrain to reach and the absence of communication networks. Therefore, it would be nice if climbers know tips to prevent this mountain disease.

  • Climb slowly, so the body can adapt.
  • If you live in a place below 1500 meters above sea level, avoid sleeping at an altitude above 2800 masl on the first night.
  • Open the tent in a lower place. Climbers are of course allowed to climb to the top if it is safe, but for overnight, it is recommended to find a lower place.
  • Staying in a place with a height of around 1500 meters above sea level for a few days or weeks before climbing can help you climb faster.

READ ALSO:

  • What is Altitude Sickness?
  • Differentiating Common Dizziness and Dizziness of Stroke Symptoms
  • Steps to Help Fainting People
Mountain Sickness, a disease that often attacks when riding a mountain
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