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Warning-sign checks

Altitude headache: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek urgent or emergency care for new neurologic symptoms, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, seizure, a sudden extreme headache, or symptoms that continue to worsen despite descent.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
    • is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
    • has a new severe headache unlike any they have had before
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    A mild headache that fully resolves after acclimatization or descent usually does not require routine medical testing.

    The person should remain alert for returning symptoms if they ascend again during the same trip.

    Arrange a routine medical appointment if headaches repeatedly occur at relatively modest elevations, continue after returning to low elevation, or are different from previous headaches.

    Follow-up is also useful after AMS that required prescription treatment or interrupted a trip.

    A clinician can review other possible causes and help plan a safer future ascent.

The article also says

Anyone who has had HACE, HAPE, confusion, loss of coordination, or severe breathing symptoms should receive medical evaluation.

Future high-altitude travel should be discussed with a clinician experienced in altitude medicine.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Altitude headache. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.