Acute Mountain Sickness

Proper hydration improves the body's tolerance of AMS symptoms. Acute mountain sickness develops when a person ascends to high altitude too quickly. At 11,000 feet, the reduction in available oxygen triggers a cascade of physiological changes that can produce acute illness. Reducing altitude allows oxygen availability to normalize and symptoms to resolve. AMS can escalate into life-threatening complications including pulmonary edema and cerebral edema. AMS symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, general malaise, and fatigue. AMS symptoms can progress and become significantly worse if left untreated. Dehydration worsens acute mountain sickness symptoms. Descending to a lower elevation is the most effective treatment for acute mountain sickness.