Altitude sickness

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Altitude sickness is a disease that affects mountain climbers and hikers. It occurs generally when an altitude of 8,000 feet or 2,400 meters is reached or exceeded. The symptoms can be mild to severe in nature. It is commonly noted that the individuals suffer from tightness of chest, shortness of breath, cough, giddiness, fatigue, headache and nausea. A detailed note is presented by docturs.com, as a piece of information and education.

One of the most important aspects of the disease is that an early diagnosis is important. Treatment is crucial for the patient. Since it is experienced during activity, the first and foremost step that should be carried out is to climb down. The climber must reach a lower altitude as soon as possible to avoid severity. Medical aid should include extra intake of oxygen from storage. If this is available, it is an added advantage and adds to the chances of curing the patient.  In a severe case of altitude sickness, hospitalization may become mandatory.

 

The disease is also referred to as acute mountain sickness and is caused mainly due to reduced pressure of air at higher altitudes. The oxygen concentration in the atmosphere also decreases with height. It is difficult for the body to cope with this change and to adjust to the paucity of oxygen. It is recommended that the one must not climb heights very rapidly. When an altitude is scaled quickly, the person becomes more susceptible to acute mountain sickness.

Increase of heart rate and shortness of breadth are regular symptoms of this ailment. They may be accompanied with a loss of appetite, dizziness and a rapid pulse. However, in a more critical altitude sickness condition the skin discoloration takes place. The skin turns bluish. A gray to pale complexion may appear. The individual may appear confused and lost. The cough can contain blood. Behavioral tendencies may indicate a withdrawal from surroundings and social interactions.

Often, when the patient enters normal zones, the symptoms disappear. Nevertheless, it is important to report the episode to your healthcare centre. If the need arises, you may even call the emergency. It is important to note that an acute, untreated condition can prove to be fatal.

Detailed information on the subject, along with online healthcare services and products, is available online. You can access such content merely with an internet connection. At docturs.com, we promote such interactions and sharing of information. We are a medical vertical that not only provide services but also aid and information. We aim to make our society stronger.

For more information visit http://docturs.com/dd/pg/groups/12980/altitude-sickness/ for altitude sickness and online healthcare services.

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jenniferstone20
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