Mountain sickness, also known as altitude sickness, is a complex of symptoms that can occur when ascending to high altitudes. It is caused by the body’s response to the lower air pressure and oxygen levels at high altitudes.
The symptoms of mountain sickness can range from mild to severe and can include headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, mountain sickness can lead to high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) or high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), which can be fatal.