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High-Altitude Headache

  • Uncommon and/or Unusual Headaches and Syndromes (J Ailani, Section Editor)
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Abstract

High-altitude headache is one of many neurological symptoms associated with the ascent to high altitudes. Cellular hypoxia due to decreased barometric pressure seems to be the common final pathway for headache as altitude increases. Susceptibility to high-altitude headache depends on genetic factors, history of migraine, and acclimatization, but symptoms of acute mountain sickness are universal at very high altitudes. This review summarizes the pathophysiology of acute mountain sickness and high-altitude headache as well as the evidence for treatment and prevention with different drugs and devices which may be useful for regular and novice mountaineers. This includes an examination of other headache disorders which may mimic high-altitude headache.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to Gail Iannarella for assistance in preparing this manuscript.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Michael J. Marmura reports royalties from Cambridge, Demos Medical, and Medlink Neurology.

Dr. Pablo Bandres Hernandez declares no potential conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Michael J. Marmura

  2. Department of Neurology, Hospital Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain

    Pablo Bandres Hernandez

  3. Jefferson Headache Center, Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, 900 Walnut Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Michael J. Marmura

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  1. Michael J. Marmura
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Correspondence to Michael J. Marmura.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Uncommon and/or Unusual Headaches and Syndromes

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Marmura, M.J., Hernandez, P.B. High-Altitude Headache. Curr Pain Headache Rep 19, 9 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-015-0483-2

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