What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed non-drug treatments for high altitude illnesses like acute mountain sickness, high altitude cerebral edema, and high altitude pulmonary edema.
What They Found
The review found that physical rest is the main treatment for moderate acute mountain sickness. Portable fabric hyperbaric chambers showed a beneficial short-term effect for acute mountain sickness, high altitude cerebral edema, and high altitude pulmonary edema, while expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) improved arterial oxygen saturation by 10-20% in high altitude pulmonary edema patients during 10-minute trials.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients experiencing high altitude illnesses, this review suggests that physical rest is a key initial step for moderate acute mountain sickness. Portable hyperbaric chambers could offer short-term relief for severe altitude sickness symptoms when descent is not possible, which is relevant for climbers and trekkers in mountainous regions of Canada or abroad.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The study noted that long-term beneficial effects for portable hyperbaric chambers and expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) still need to be established through further clinical studies, and technical solutions for CO2 removal from portable chambers are needed.