Altitude Sickness/Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

June 25, 2015

Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) generally occurs above 2,500 m (8,000 ft), but serious altitude illness is rare below 3,000 m (10,000 ft). It ranges fromPreparatio a mild headache and weariness to a life-threatening disease, when fluid in the lungs (HAPE) or brain (HACE) is built-up. AMS is caused by the body having difficulty adapting to the lower oxygen level at higher altitudes. Usually this is due to a too quick ascent, and sometimes personal sensitivity. As AMS can be fatal, it is important to know about the disease, its symptoms, how to prevent them and how to treat AMS.