Three Degrees of Mountain Sickness. Part - 3

Mild Degree

A person complains of headache, nausea or vomiting, insomnia, dizziness. The symptoms are mild. To provide assistance, it is sufficient to temporarily stop ascending and give the person time to acclimatize. After 3-4 days, the symptoms disappear on their own and do not require additional treatment;

Moderate Degree

The symptoms listed above are accompanied by euphoria. The person's mood is elevated, they talk a lot, and their speech is rapid.

The attitude towards the surrounding environment changes: the person often begins to underestimate dangers, which requires constant monitoring. After some time, euphoria is replaced by apathy and a decline in mood, severe weakness, dizziness, digestive disturbances, and intense thirst are noted;

Severe Degree

The main complaint remains a headache, which is significantly stronger than in mild altitude sickness. Poor well-being and dizziness occur with any sudden movement. The person tires quickly and finds it difficult to perform physical work. Frequent, shallow breathing. A common symptom is nosebleeds, and there may be coughing up blood. Many complain of severe dryness in the throat, which causes a constant desire to drink.

The term "Death Zone" (lethal zone) is known — an altitude zone where the body expends more energy to sustain its vital functions than it can obtain from external sources (nutrition, breathing, etc.). Acclimatization does not occur.

In a cold, humid climate, the symptoms of altitude sickness will manifest at lower altitudes than in a dry and warm one. In Kamchatka and Patagonia, altitude sickness appears at an elevation of 1000-1500 m above sea level. In the Alps — from 2500 m, in the Caucasus from 3000 m, in the Andes from 4000 m. For comparison, in mountains with a dry continental climate: in the Tian Shan, altitude sickness occurs at 3500 m, in the Pamirs from 4500 m, and in the Himalayas it can be tolerated up to 5000 m.

At what altitudes should one expect the development of altitude sickness. Part -2