The illness of ascent: acute mountain sickness

Acute mountain syndrome, although common, is preventable. Even after its development, progression into life-threatening HAPE and HACE is avoidable through prompt recognition and treatment. Although there are medical treatment modalities, the simplest and surest solution remains descent. The nurse practitioner has a responsibility to advise clients of the ramifications of AMS, and to counsel skiers, tourists, hunters, trekkers, and mountaineers considering travel to high altitudes in prevention, self-diagnosis, and treatment of this condition.