Incidence and risk factors of acute mountain sickness during ascent to Hoh Xil and the physiological responses before and after acclimatization

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) affects over half of individuals ascending to Hoh Xil at 4,200 meters, with symptoms including headache, dyspnea, and dizziness. The study found that lower oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and higher heart rate (HR) upon exposure to high altitude correlate with AMS susceptibility. Alcohol consumption emerged as a potential risk factor, while anthropometric changes were more pronounced in those experiencing AMS before and after acclimatization. Oxygen therapy mitigated AMS-induced tachycardia but did not alter SpO₂ or symptom resolution time. These findings highlight physiological responses to high-altitude exposure and the effectiveness of acclimatization.

Ouyang, Q., Yang, Y., Zou, D., Peng, Y., Zhang, W., Yang, Y., & Ma, Y. (2024). Incidence and risk factors of acute mountain sickness during ascent to Hoh Xil and the physiological responses before and after acclimatization. Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine, 24(4), 226–230. https://doi.org/10.4103/tjem.tjem_44_24