New Drugs to Combat Altitude Sickness Studied

Acute Mountain Sickness can Diminish Performance or Lead to Death

Jul 14, 2009

After the 9/11 attacks in the US, altitude sickness studies to find cures became more important as US troops were flown by helicopter into the mountains of Afghanistan.

Skiers, hikers, and military personnel in high altitude combat zones like Afghanistan would avoid the symptoms of altitude sickness, sometimes called acute mountain sickness, if new drugs could be developed.

When the human body does not acclimatize properly to high altitudes, a potentially life-threatening illness could develop.

Causes of Altitude Sickness

At high altitudes, defined as over 8,000 feet, low atmospheric pressure makes it harder for the body to take in enough oxygen.

At sea level, the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg, with a 21% concentration of oxygen. Although the oxygen molecules stay the same as the altitude increases, the number of oxygen molecules taken in with each breath is reduced.

At an altitude of 12,000 feet the barometric pressure measure about 483 mmHg, so the oxygen molecules per breath declines 40%. This means an increase in the breathing rate, but even that will not provide the body with the same level of oxygen taken in at sea level.

In order for the body to adjust to working with decreased oxygen, changes must occur.

Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

Symptoms of altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness, can affect the brain as well as the lungs and can range from mild to sever. Because the best treatment is to get to a lower altitude, it is important that any symptoms, however mild, are shared with companions.

Confusion, feeling faint, inability to walk straight and a blue or gray tint around lips or fingernails are severe symptoms that may be fatal.

Mild Altitude Sickness

Mild altitude sickness symptoms can include a general feeling of malaise with headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite and interrupted sleep. These symptoms should disappear within 2 to 4 days as the body acclimatizes.

In the meantime, pain relievers for headaches and the prescription drug Diamox to help metabolize oxygen will help reduce symptoms of mild altitude sickness, but they will not cure the problem.

Moderate Altitude Sickness

If no relief from the headache is achieved with medication, it’s possible that moderate altitude sickness is the problem. Nausea and vomiting may be present, as well as decreased coordination and increasing shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue.

These symptoms require advance drugs or decent to a lower altitude for at least 24 hours for the body to acclimatize. The process may take up to three days, and accent should not be attempted until the symptoms are gone.

Severe Altitude Sickness

A person suffering from shortness of breath when they are at rest, have a diminished mental state, are unable to walk or have fluid buildup in the lungs are suffering from severe altitude sickness and must immediately descend to altitudes of 2,000 to 4,000 feet.

High altitude cerebral edema, (HACE), or swelling of tissue of the brain from fluid leakage, usually happens after a week or more at high altitude. Professional medical treatment must be sought immediately after evacuating the patient.

Symptoms of HACE are loss of memory, hallucinations, disorientation, psychotic behavior, or even coma. If not treated quickly, HACE can lead to death.

HAPE

HAPE, high altitude pulmonary edema, is caused from fluid buildup in the lungs that prevents oxygen exchange and can decrease the level of oxygen in the blood. This could lead to impaired cerebral function, cyanosis and death.

Symptoms of high altitude pulmonary edema include extreme fatigue, a feeling of suffocation at night, shortness of breath even while the body is resting, weakness or a cough that brings up frothy or white watery fluid.

Altitude Training to Prevent Altitude Sickness

The human body can be conditioned before a high altitude trip by simulated altitude training at lower levels. Some of the oxygen is removed from the air by a hypoxicator so that the same oxygen concentration that would be found at high altitude is achieved. This allows the body to slowly acclimatize to the thinner air.

If altitude training is not an option, the best way to try to prevent altitude sickness is by ascending slowly so that the body has time to acclimatize. Drink plenty of liquids and take the time to rest.

If altitude sickness symptoms appear, do not go any higher until they are gone. If possible, descend to a lower altitude for sleeping.

Research has found that increased carbohydrate intake can help prevent acute mountain sickness. Before and during the trip, increase intakes of breads, cereals, pasta and grains to make the trek to high altitude safer.

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