What is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and how can it be treated?
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the term used for a spectrum of symptoms that develop due to the body’s inability to adjust to altitude. The higher we go, the less oxygen is available to our tissues for vital metabolic processes. Acclimatization is a series of physiological phenomena whereby the human body adjusts to these lower levels of oxygen. These adjustments take time, so unfortunately many travelers develop AMS. AMS usually occurs at altitudes above 2500m (8200 ft), the most common problems being: – Headache – Unexplained tiredness – Nausea/ vomiting – Dizziness/ vertigo – Insomnia – Tingling sensation Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment is the only internationally recognized cure for AMS. The patient is placed in our US-made, state-of-the-art chamber for a period of 1 to 1.5 hours. During this treatment, the patient is immersed in a pressurized 100% oxygen environment that allows for the body to recoup the oxygen that it was missing. Typically, a patient will go from feeling terrible
