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Can knowledge protect against acute mountain sickness?
Jennifer Vardy1, John Vardy, Ken Judge
1Accident and Emergency Department, Wishaw General Hospital, Lanarkshire ML2 0DP, Scotland. jenvardy@doctors.net.uk
Journal of Public Health (Oxford, England)
|October 20, 2005
Summary
Informed trekkers are less likely to suffer from altitude sickness (AMS). Knowledge of altitude sickness symptoms and safe ascent practices can protect against AMS and severe high-altitude conditions.
Area of Science:
- Altitude sickness research
- Travel medicine
- High-altitude physiology
Background:
- Well-prepared travelers experience fewer travel-related illnesses.
- This study investigates trekkers' knowledge of altitude sickness.
- The aim is to determine if knowledge protects against acute mountain sickness (AMS) and high-altitude pulmonary or cerebral edema (HAPE/HACE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine trekkers' knowledge of altitude sickness.
- To assess if this knowledge correlates with protection against AMS and HAPE/HACE.
- To evaluate adherence to safe ascent practices.
Main Methods:
- 130 trekkers in Nepal's Solu Khumbu region were interviewed.
- Participants described their planned actions upon experiencing AMS or HAPE/HACE symptoms.
- Response options included continuing ascent, staying at the same altitude, descending, or consulting a guide.
Main Results:
- 72% of trekkers would not continue ascent with moderate to severe AMS symptoms.
- Those planning to continue ascent were more likely to have AMS symptoms (p=0.025) and ascend faster (p=0.004).
- Only 9% would not descend with HAPE/HACE symptoms, showing no significant association with AMS or ascent rate.
Conclusions:
- Trekkers planning safe actions for AMS were less likely to have symptoms.
- These trekkers had ascended less altitude in the preceding 72 hours.
- Adherence to recommended ascent guidelines is associated with better outcomes.