1. First Aid Essentials Slideshow Pictures
2. First Aid Bandaging Injuries Slideshow Pictures
3. First Aid Sprains & Strains Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Eric A Nazziola, MD

Coauthor:

John Lafleur, MD

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

The diagnosis of acute altitude sickness is based on symptoms. After traveling to a high altitude, symptoms of loss of appetite, generalized weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath during exertion, nausea, or a headache associated with insomnia may indicate altitude sickness.

• The doctor may hear crackles or rales (a rattling sound) when listening to the patient's lungs.
• Shortness of breath at rest may indicate HAPE.
• The pateint's vital signs may be abnormal and may include low-grade fever and faster-than-normal heart and breathing rates.
• Pulse oximetry, which measures oxygen saturation of the blood, may reveal that the patient's oxygen saturation is lower than expected for that particular altitude.
• The doctor may treat the patient with fever and cough for pneumonia in addition to HAPE.
• HACE is diagnosed if a person's mental state is altered or coordination is lost at high altitude.

Must Read Articles Related to Mountain Sickness

Foreign Travel It is important to plan well in advance when traveling to a foreign country. Travelers should protect (and prepare) themselves from illness by obtaining the app...learn more >>

Pulmonary Edema Pulmonary edema is a collection of excess fluid in the lungs. Pulmonary edema is classified as either cardiogenic (caused by heart problems) and non-cardiogenic...learn more >>

See the Entire Mountain Sickness Topic Guide »