Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS):Acute Mountain Sickness, or AMS, affects the body when exposed to high altitudes, typically above 8,000 feet (2,440 meters). It is quite common for individuals to experience mild symptoms of AMS when they ascend above 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). Factors such as altitude, speed of ascent, and individual sensitivity influence the likelihood of developing AMS.Mild AMS:Many individuals encounter mild AMS symptoms during the initial acclimatization period, which spans the first one to three days at a new altitude. Symptoms often appear 12-24 hours after reaching the higher elevation and may include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nausea, disrupted sleep, and a general sense of discomfort. These issues tend to worsen at night due to decreased respiratory drive.Typically, mild AMS does not hinder daily activities, and symptoms usually diminish within two to four days as the body adjusts. If symptoms are only mild and manageable, individuals can continue to ascend at a moderate pace. While hiking, it is crucial to report any signs of illness to others in your group. AMS is essentially a response to changes in altitude and is a mild form of altitude sickness.Treatment for mild AMS usually involves pain relief for headaches and a medication called DIAMOX, which helps increase breathing rate to enhance oxygen metabolism, reducing symptoms caused by low oxygen levels. This is particularly beneficial at night. Because DIAMOX takes time to work, it is recommended to start taking it 24 hours before ascending and continue its use for at least five days at higher altitudes.Moderate AMS:When AMS progresses to a moderate level, symptoms become more severe, including intense headaches unrelieved by medication, nausea, vomiting, growing weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath, and impaired coordination, making normal activities challenging. At this stage, the condition can only be resolved by advanced medications or descending to a lower altitude. Even a descent of a few hundred feet (70-100 meters) can provide relief, but a descent of 1,000-2,000 feet (305-610 meters) usually brings significant improvement. Spending 24 hours at a lower altitude often results in noticeable recovery, and individuals should remain at this elevation until symptoms disappear, which may take up to three days. Once acclimatized to this altitude, they can resume ascending.A practical test for diagnosing moderate AMS is asking the individual to "walk a straight line" heel to toe, similar to a sobriety test. An inability to walk straight indicates the need for immediate descent. It is vital to ensure the person descends before they become unable to walk independently.Severe AMS:Severe AMS involves a further escalation of symptoms, such as extreme shortness of breath even while resting, inability to walk, reduced mental alertness, and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Immediate descent to lower altitudes, ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet (610-1,220 meters), is imperative for severe AMS.The only remedies for AMS are acclimatization or descent. (This information is partly based on the Princeton University Outdoor Action "Guide to High Altitude: Acclimatization and Illnesses" by Rick Curtis).
