Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

• Most common at or above 2500 meters (8200 ft).
• S/S:Fatigue, lethargy, anorexia, n/v, insomnia, dizziness, increased HR or RR (progresses to HACE, see next section).
• Management: ABCs, O₂, descent, supportive care.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

• Most common at or above 4800 meters (15,750 ft).
• S/S: (severe AMS) Ataxia and/or an altered mental status in addition to any one of the signs of AMS.
• Management: ABCs, immediate descent, O₂, hyperbaric therapy (Gamow Bag/Tent). Consider Decadron 8 mg IM, IV.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

• Most common at or above 4500 m (14,760 ft).
• S/S:Dyspnea, SOB, crackles, cyanosis, dry cough (progresses to pink, frothy sputum), tachycardia, tachypnea, mild fever.
• Management: ABCs, descent, O₂, CPAP, rewarming, hyperbaric therapy. Consider nifedipine 10 mg PO.
• Can also occur in residents of high altitude who travel to low altitude and then return to altitude (re-ascent HAPE).