Diferencia entre revisiones de «Chronic mountain sickness»

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==Diagnosis==
==Background==
#Excessive polycythemia for a given altitude (Hb >20  
*Excessive [[polycythemia]] at altitude (Hgb >20 g/dL in men, >19 in women)
##Occurs in pts living at high-altitude who have COPD, sleep apnea or impaired resp drive  
*Occurs in long-term high-altitude residents (typically >3,000m) who develop loss of ventilatory acclimatization
#Head ache, difficulty thinking, impaired peripheral circulation, drowsiness
*Risk factors: [[COPD]], [[obstructive sleep apnea]], impaired respiratory drive, obesity, advancing age
==Treatment==
*Also known as Monge disease
#Phlebotomy  
 
#Relocation to lower altitude  
==Clinical Features==
#Home O2 use
*[[Headache]], dizziness, difficulty concentrating
*[[Fatigue|Drowsiness]], exercise intolerance
*Impaired peripheral circulation: cyanosis, digital clubbing
*Paresthesias
*[[Pulmonary hypertension]] may develop
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{High altitude DDX}}
 
==Evaluation==
*CBC: markedly elevated hematocrit/hemoglobin
*Pulse oximetry: low SpO2 at altitude (lower than expected)
*ABG: chronic respiratory alkalosis with metabolic compensation
*Echocardiography if concern for pulmonary hypertension
 
==Management==
*'''Definitive:''' Descent to lower altitude (curative)
*Phlebotomy for symptomatic relief (target Hgb <18)
*Supplemental oxygen, especially during sleep
*[[Acetazolamide]] 250 mg BID may improve ventilatory drive
*Treat contributing conditions (CPAP for OSA, bronchodilators for COPD)
 
==Disposition==
*Outpatient management in most cases with referral to primary care
*Recommend relocation to lower altitude for definitive treatment


==See Also==
==See Also==
[[High Altitude Medicine]]
*[[Acute mountain sickness]]
*[[High altitude cerebral edema]]
*[[High altitude pulmonary edema]]
*[[Polycythemia]]


==Source==
==References==
Tintinalli
<references/>


[[Category:Environ]]
[[Category:Environmental]]

Revisión actual - 01:19 21 mar 2026

Background

  • Excessive polycythemia at altitude (Hgb >20 g/dL in men, >19 in women)
  • Occurs in long-term high-altitude residents (typically >3,000m) who develop loss of ventilatory acclimatization
  • Risk factors: COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, impaired respiratory drive, obesity, advancing age
  • Also known as Monge disease

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

High Altitude Illnesses

Evaluation

  • CBC: markedly elevated hematocrit/hemoglobin
  • Pulse oximetry: low SpO2 at altitude (lower than expected)
  • ABG: chronic respiratory alkalosis with metabolic compensation
  • Echocardiography if concern for pulmonary hypertension

Management

  • Definitive: Descent to lower altitude (curative)
  • Phlebotomy for symptomatic relief (target Hgb <18)
  • Supplemental oxygen, especially during sleep
  • Acetazolamide 250 mg BID may improve ventilatory drive
  • Treat contributing conditions (CPAP for OSA, bronchodilators for COPD)

Disposition

  • Outpatient management in most cases with referral to primary care
  • Recommend relocation to lower altitude for definitive treatment

See Also

References