McGowan Jennifer, Thurman Jeff, Huecker Martin R.
University of Louisville School of Medicine
University of Louisville/Norton Healthcare
Approximately 200 million individuals travel to high-altitude destinations annually, a number that has increased with improved accessibility and infrastructure to remote regions. High-altitude destinations are defined as elevations above 1,500 m. However, altitude illness is uncommon below 2,500 m. Reduced partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude can produce several pathological conditions. The most common form of high-altitude illness is acute mountain sickness (AMS), which, if unrecognized or untreated, may progress to high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Cerebral manifestations differ from pulmonary presentations, such as high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Although AMS carries lower morbidity and mortality than HACE or HAPE, its high prevalence makes it a significant concern for individuals recreating at high altitude. Whereas HACE and HAPE are life-threatening emergencies requiring rapid descent, AMS symptoms are often prevented or managed with supportive measures and oral medications. Increasing numbers of travelers expose providers across all practice settings to the need for counseling and guidance on evidence-based strategies for prevention and management of high-altitude illness.
随着国际旅行者、探险旅行者和荒野旅行者数量的增加，各地各类医疗机构的医生可能会被要求就各种与旅行相关的疾病提供咨询，并给予预防措施或自我治疗建议。在高海拔地区，氧分压降低会引发多种病理表现，包括高原肺水肿、高原脑水肿，以及症状较轻但更为常见的急性高原病（也称为高原病或高山病）。高原肺水肿和高原脑水肿均为危及生命的紧急情况，需要立即治疗，应尽快安全地安排并实施下降至较低海拔（或更高气压的人工环境）。相比之下，急性高原病的症状可用口服药物预防或控制，通常无需下降海拔或补充氧气。海拔超过1500米的环境即属于高海拔环境。海拔越高，氧饱和度越低，低氧血症风险越高。
