Miscellaneous
Contributor: Tom Seibert, MD Educational Pearls: Acute Mountain sickness (AMS) can cause headache along with fatigue, nausea, vomiting, insomnia Typically occurs above 6500 feet (not 65,000) in elevation Acclimation to altitude can help prevent symptoms if not treated, AMS can advance to severe illness involving cerebral or pulmonary edema. Mild symptoms can be managed with rest but more severe symptoms will require descent, oxygen, acetazolamide and steroids Acetazolamide can be used as both a preventative and therapeutic drug References Davis C, Hackett P. Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of High Altitude Illness. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2017 May;35(2):241-260. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2017.01.002. PMID: 28411926. Summarized by Jackson Roos, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD The Emergency Medical Minute is excited to announce that we are now offering AMA PRA Category 1 credits™ via online course modules. To access these and for more information, visit our website at www.emergencymedicalminute.com/cme-courses/ and create an account.