The medical illness known as acute mountain sickness (AMS) usually develops at elevations of 8,000 feet (2,400 metres) or above, where the body is exposed to lower oxygen levels due to the lower air pressure. The amount of oxygen available for the body to operate properly reduces as people rise to higher altitudes because of a drop in air pressure. This lack of oxygen can cause a variety of symptoms, which together constitute up AMS. Headache, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, lightheadedness, and trouble sleeping are typical symptoms. After ascending to high elevations, these symptoms typically appear a few hours to a day later and can differ in intensity from person to person. Although the precise aetiology of AMS is not entirely known, it is thought to be brought on by the body's battle to adjust to the lower oxygen levels, which results in changes in blood flow, fluid balance, and blood vessel pressure. The majority of the time, AMS is a minor, self-limiting condition that gets better over the course of a few days as the body gets used to the higher altitude. However, AMS can progress to more severe forms, such as High-Altitude Cerebral Edoema (HACE) or High-Altitude Pulmonary Edoema (HAPE), which involve potentially fatal fluid accumulation in the brain or lungs, respectively, if left untreated or if people continue to ascend to even higher altitudes while experiencing symptoms. Ascent should be moderate, time should be given for acclimatisation, drink plenty of water, stay away from alcohol and sedatives, and be aware of the symptoms of AMS. It is vital to descend to lower elevations and receive medical attention in situations of severe AMS. In order to reduce the danger of AMS and its associated consequences, everyone travelling to mountainous areas must be aware of and respectful of the difficulties presented by high altitudes.
