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Ear, nose, and throat effects of high altitude

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Abstract

High altitude changes human physiology and can result in illnesses such as acute mountain sickness, high-altitude cerebral edema, and high-altitude pulmonary edema. The physiological impacts of high-altitude illnesses occur secondary to extravasation of fluid from the intravascular space into the extravascular space during a rapid ascent. Headache, hearing disturbances, vestibular disturbances, epistaxis, sleep apnea, coughing, respiratory tract infections, and nasal obstruction are main ear, nose, and throat complaints of individuals travelling to high altitude. These complaints can cause delays or cancelations in a person’s climbing plans. In this article, we review the ear, nose, and throat effects of high altitude based on the relevant literature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey

    Cemal Cingi

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey

    Alper Nabi Erkan

  3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany

    Gerhard Rettinger

  4. ENT Department Baraj Yolu 1. Durak, Baskent University Adana Seyhan Hospital, 01110, Seyhan, Adana, Turkey

    Alper Nabi Erkan

Authors
  1. Cemal Cingi
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  2. Alper Nabi Erkan
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  3. Gerhard Rettinger
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Correspondence to Alper Nabi Erkan.

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Cingi, C., Erkan, A.N. & Rettinger, G. Ear, nose, and throat effects of high altitude. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 267, 467–471 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-009-1016-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-009-1016-6

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