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Return to Activity at Altitude After High-Altitude Illness

CONTEXT: Sports and other activities at high altitude are popular, yet they pose the unique risk for high-altitude illness (HAI). Once those who have suffered from a HAI recover, they commonly desire or need to perform the same activity at altitude in the immediate or distant future. EVIDENCE ACQUIS...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: DeWeber, Kevin, Scorza, Keith
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: SAGE Publications 2010
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445095/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23015950
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1941738110373065
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author DeWeber, Kevin
Scorza, Keith
author_facet DeWeber, Kevin
Scorza, Keith
author_sort DeWeber, Kevin
collection PubMed
description CONTEXT: Sports and other activities at high altitude are popular, yet they pose the unique risk for high-altitude illness (HAI). Once those who have suffered from a HAI recover, they commonly desire or need to perform the same activity at altitude in the immediate or distant future. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: As based on key text references and peer-reviewed journal articles from a Medline search, this article reviews the pathophysiology and general treatment principles of HAI. RESULTS: In addition to the type of HAI experienced and the current level of recovery, factors needing consideration in the return-to-play plan include physical activity requirements, flexibility of the activity schedule, and available medical equipment and facilities. Most important, adherence to prudent acclimatization protocols and gradual ascent recommendations (when above 3000 m, no more than 600-m net elevation gain per day, and 1 rest day every 1 to 2 ascent days) is powerful in its preventive value and thus strongly recommended. When these are not practical, prophylactic medications (acetazolamide, dexamethasone, salmeterol, nifedipine, or phosphodiesterase inhibitors, depending on the type of prior HAI) may be prescribed and can reduce the risk of illness. Athletes with HAI should be counseled that physical and mental performance may be adversely affected if activity at altitude continues before recovery is complete and that there is a risk of progression to a more serious HAI. CONCLUSION: With a thoughtful plan, most recurrent HAI in athletes can be prevented.
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spelling pubmed-34450952012-09-26 Return to Activity at Altitude After High-Altitude Illness DeWeber, Kevin Scorza, Keith Sports Health Primary Care CONTEXT: Sports and other activities at high altitude are popular, yet they pose the unique risk for high-altitude illness (HAI). Once those who have suffered from a HAI recover, they commonly desire or need to perform the same activity at altitude in the immediate or distant future. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: As based on key text references and peer-reviewed journal articles from a Medline search, this article reviews the pathophysiology and general treatment principles of HAI. RESULTS: In addition to the type of HAI experienced and the current level of recovery, factors needing consideration in the return-to-play plan include physical activity requirements, flexibility of the activity schedule, and available medical equipment and facilities. Most important, adherence to prudent acclimatization protocols and gradual ascent recommendations (when above 3000 m, no more than 600-m net elevation gain per day, and 1 rest day every 1 to 2 ascent days) is powerful in its preventive value and thus strongly recommended. When these are not practical, prophylactic medications (acetazolamide, dexamethasone, salmeterol, nifedipine, or phosphodiesterase inhibitors, depending on the type of prior HAI) may be prescribed and can reduce the risk of illness. Athletes with HAI should be counseled that physical and mental performance may be adversely affected if activity at altitude continues before recovery is complete and that there is a risk of progression to a more serious HAI. CONCLUSION: With a thoughtful plan, most recurrent HAI in athletes can be prevented. SAGE Publications 2010-07 /pmc/articles/PMC3445095/ /pubmed/23015950 http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1941738110373065 Text en © 2010 The Author(s)
spellingShingle Primary Care
DeWeber, Kevin
Scorza, Keith
Return to Activity at Altitude After High-Altitude Illness
title Return to Activity at Altitude After High-Altitude Illness
title_full Return to Activity at Altitude After High-Altitude Illness
title_fullStr Return to Activity at Altitude After High-Altitude Illness
title_full_unstemmed Return to Activity at Altitude After High-Altitude Illness
title_short Return to Activity at Altitude After High-Altitude Illness
title_sort return to activity at altitude after high-altitude illness
topic Primary Care
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445095/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23015950
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1941738110373065
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