Chronic mountain sickness: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Chronic mountain sickness | |||
| synonyms = [[Monge's disease]], [[High-altitude pulmonary hypertension]] | |||
| field = [[Pulmonology]], [[Cardiology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Headache]], [[dizziness]], [[tinnitus]], [[dyspnea]], [[cyanosis]], [[sleep disturbances]] | |||
| complications = [[Pulmonary hypertension]], [[right heart failure]] | |||
| onset = Typically after prolonged exposure to high altitude | |||
| duration = Chronic | |||
| causes = Long-term exposure to high altitude | |||
| risks = Living at high altitudes, [[genetic predisposition]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Clinical evaluation]], [[blood tests]], [[echocardiogram]] | |||
| differential = [[Acute mountain sickness]], [[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]] | |||
| prevention = [[Acclimatization]], [[oxygen therapy]] | |||
| treatment = [[Descent to lower altitude]], [[oxygen therapy]], [[phlebotomy]] | |||
| frequency = Common in high-altitude regions such as the [[Andes]] and [[Himalayas]] | |||
}} | |||
'''Chronic Mountain Sickness''' (CMS), also known as '''Monge's disease''', is a medical condition that affects individuals living at high altitudes, typically above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), for prolonged periods. It is characterized by an excessive production of red blood cells (polycythemia), leading to an abnormally high hematocrit level, which can cause the blood to become thick and sluggish. This adaptation mechanism, while initially beneficial for oxygen transport in low-oxygen environments, can eventually lead to complications such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and stroke. | '''Chronic Mountain Sickness''' (CMS), also known as '''Monge's disease''', is a medical condition that affects individuals living at high altitudes, typically above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), for prolonged periods. It is characterized by an excessive production of red blood cells (polycythemia), leading to an abnormally high hematocrit level, which can cause the blood to become thick and sluggish. This adaptation mechanism, while initially beneficial for oxygen transport in low-oxygen environments, can eventually lead to complications such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and stroke. | ||
==Symptoms and Signs== | ==Symptoms and Signs== | ||
The symptoms of CMS are diverse and can significantly impact the quality of life. They include, but are not limited to: | The symptoms of CMS are diverse and can significantly impact the quality of life. They include, but are not limited to: | ||
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* Venous dilation | * Venous dilation | ||
* Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) | * Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
The primary cause of CMS is prolonged exposure to high altitude, which leads to hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the blood). In response, the body increases the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells, leading to polycythemia. While this is an adaptive response to improve oxygen delivery to tissues, excessive red blood cell production can lead to the symptoms and complications associated with CMS. | The primary cause of CMS is prolonged exposure to high altitude, which leads to hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the blood). In response, the body increases the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells, leading to polycythemia. While this is an adaptive response to improve oxygen delivery to tissues, excessive red blood cell production can lead to the symptoms and complications associated with CMS. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Diagnosis of CMS involves a combination of clinical assessment and laboratory tests. Key diagnostic criteria include: | Diagnosis of CMS involves a combination of clinical assessment and laboratory tests. Key diagnostic criteria include: | ||
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* Elevated hematocrit levels (>65% in men, >60% in women) | * Elevated hematocrit levels (>65% in men, >60% in women) | ||
* Exclusion of other causes of polycythemia | * Exclusion of other causes of polycythemia | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
Treatment options for CMS are aimed at reducing the hematocrit level and alleviating symptoms. They include: | Treatment options for CMS are aimed at reducing the hematocrit level and alleviating symptoms. They include: | ||
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* Oxygen therapy in severe cases | * Oxygen therapy in severe cases | ||
* In some cases, relocation to lower altitudes may be recommended | * In some cases, relocation to lower altitudes may be recommended | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Preventive measures for CMS focus on gradual acclimatization to high altitudes and monitoring for symptoms of the condition. Individuals moving to high altitudes should ascend slowly to allow their bodies to adjust to the lower oxygen levels. | Preventive measures for CMS focus on gradual acclimatization to high altitudes and monitoring for symptoms of the condition. Individuals moving to high altitudes should ascend slowly to allow their bodies to adjust to the lower oxygen levels. | ||
==Epidemiology== | ==Epidemiology== | ||
CMS is most commonly observed in populations living in the Andes, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Rocky Mountains. The prevalence of CMS increases with altitude, age, and duration of exposure to high altitudes. | CMS is most commonly observed in populations living in the Andes, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Rocky Mountains. The prevalence of CMS increases with altitude, age, and duration of exposure to high altitudes. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Altitude sickness]] | * [[Altitude sickness]] | ||
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* [[Hypoxia (medical)]] | * [[Hypoxia (medical)]] | ||
* [[Pulmonary hypertension]] | * [[Pulmonary hypertension]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Respiratory diseases]] | [[Category:Respiratory diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Occupational diseases]] | [[Category:Occupational diseases]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:48, 4 April 2025
| Chronic mountain sickness | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Monge's disease, High-altitude pulmonary hypertension |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Headache, dizziness, tinnitus, dyspnea, cyanosis, sleep disturbances |
| Complications | Pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure |
| Onset | Typically after prolonged exposure to high altitude |
| Duration | Chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Long-term exposure to high altitude |
| Risks | Living at high altitudes, genetic predisposition |
| Diagnosis | Clinical evaluation, blood tests, echocardiogram |
| Differential diagnosis | Acute mountain sickness, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| Prevention | Acclimatization, oxygen therapy |
| Treatment | Descent to lower altitude, oxygen therapy, phlebotomy |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common in high-altitude regions such as the Andes and Himalayas |
| Deaths | N/A |
Chronic Mountain Sickness (CMS), also known as Monge's disease, is a medical condition that affects individuals living at high altitudes, typically above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), for prolonged periods. It is characterized by an excessive production of red blood cells (polycythemia), leading to an abnormally high hematocrit level, which can cause the blood to become thick and sluggish. This adaptation mechanism, while initially beneficial for oxygen transport in low-oxygen environments, can eventually lead to complications such as heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and stroke.
Symptoms and Signs[edit]
The symptoms of CMS are diverse and can significantly impact the quality of life. They include, but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Breathlessness
- Palpitations
- Sleep disturbances, including central sleep apnea
- Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin due to poor oxygenation)
- Venous dilation
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Causes[edit]
The primary cause of CMS is prolonged exposure to high altitude, which leads to hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the blood). In response, the body increases the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells, leading to polycythemia. While this is an adaptive response to improve oxygen delivery to tissues, excessive red blood cell production can lead to the symptoms and complications associated with CMS.
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of CMS involves a combination of clinical assessment and laboratory tests. Key diagnostic criteria include:
- Living at an altitude above 2,500 meters for a prolonged period
- Symptoms consistent with CMS
- Elevated hematocrit levels (>65% in men, >60% in women)
- Exclusion of other causes of polycythemia
Treatment[edit]
Treatment options for CMS are aimed at reducing the hematocrit level and alleviating symptoms. They include:
- Phlebotomy (removal of blood from the body) to decrease blood viscosity
- Medications such as acetazolamide to improve oxygenation and reduce erythropoietin production
- Oxygen therapy in severe cases
- In some cases, relocation to lower altitudes may be recommended
Prevention[edit]
Preventive measures for CMS focus on gradual acclimatization to high altitudes and monitoring for symptoms of the condition. Individuals moving to high altitudes should ascend slowly to allow their bodies to adjust to the lower oxygen levels.
Epidemiology[edit]
CMS is most commonly observed in populations living in the Andes, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Rocky Mountains. The prevalence of CMS increases with altitude, age, and duration of exposure to high altitudes.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
<references/>
