Effects of Duration at Altitude and Acetazolamide on Ventilation and Oxgenation During Sleep

Abstract

Persons who ascend to high altitude too quickly often experience headache, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, decreased performance, and disturbed consciousness: the syndrome termed acute mountain sickness (AMS) (Hackett et aI., 1976). A respiratory alkalosis is a universal accompaniment of acute exposure to high altitude, and with acclimatization, blood pH returns toward normal. This process is hastened by acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor which prevents the hydration of carbon dioxide and increases renal bicarbonate excretion This drug also helps prevent the symptoms of AMS