Chronic mountain sickness
Revision as of 16:50, 21 June 2016 by Ostermayer (talk | contribs) (Text replacement - " pts" to " patients")
Background
- Excessive polycythemia for a given altitude (Hgb >20)
- Occurs in patients living at high-altitude who have COPD, sleep apnea or impaired resp drive
Clinical Features
- Headache
- Difficulty thinking
- Impaired peripheral circulation
- Drowsiness
Differential Diagnosis
High Altitude Illnesses
- Acute mountain sickness
- Chronic mountain sickness
- High altitude cerebral edema
- High altitude pulmonary edema
- High altitude peripheral edema
- High altitude retinopathy
- High altitude pharyngitis and bronchitis
- Ultraviolet keratitis
Diagnosis
Management
- Phlebotomy
- Relocation to lower altitude
- Home O2 use