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Treating AMS
Dexamethasone (Decadron®)
Dexamethasone (Decadron®) is a potent steroid used to treat brain edema.
Whereas acetazolamide treats the problem (by accelerating
acclimatization), dexamethasone treats the symptoms (the distress caused
by hypoxia). Dexamethasone can completely remove the symptoms of AMS in
a few hours, but it does not help you acclimatize. If you use
dexamethasone to treat AMS you should not go higher until the next day,
to be sure the medication has worn off and is not hiding a lack of
acclimatization.
Side effects include euphoria in some people, trouble sleeping, and an
increased blood sugar level in diabetics.
Dexamethasone Use & Dosage:
For treatment of AMS: Two doses of 4 mg, 6 hours apart. This can be
given orally, or by an injection if the patient is vomiting. Children
may be given 1 mg/kg of body weight, up to 4 mg maximum; a second dose
is given in 6 hours. Do not ascend until at least 12 hours after the
last dose, and then only if there are no symptoms of AMS.
Oxygen
AMS symptoms resolve very rapidly (minutes) on moderate-flow oxygen (2-4
liters per minute, by nasal cannula). There may be rebound symptoms if
the duration of therapy is inadequate - several hours of treatment may
be needed. In most high altitude enviroments, oxygen is a precious
commodity, and as such is usually reserved for more serious cases of
HACE and HAPE.
Hyperbaric Therapy
Treatment in a portable hyperbaric bag (see physician's section for
details) is essentially equivalent to descent or treatment with oxygen;
the person is inside a pressurized bag breathing an atmosphere
equivalent to a much lower altitude. AMS symptoms rapidly resolve
(minutes), but may recurr if treatment is too short - at least two hours
are needed. Dexamethasone works as well, though not quite as fast, is
much cheaper, and far less labor-intensive than hyperbaric therapy.
Hyperbaric treatment is usually reserved for more serious cases such as
HACE and HAPE.
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