The Basics: Altitude Illness

Today, on the PFC Podcast, we dived deep into altitude illness with the experienced Dr. Moon from Duke University and Patrick O'Boyle, a senior medical instructor. Dr. Moon's been to Everest Base Camp, studies altitude physiology, and works with the Navy. He shared that altitude illness, including symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and insomnia, is not fully understood. The dangerous forms like cerebral edema (brain swelling) and pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs) can be deadly. Rapid altitude changes and the body's reaction to lowered oxygen levels play a role. If you're feeling symptoms, descend ASAP and administer oxygen if possible. And folks, while some meds can help, the real gold standard is descending and getting to a safer altitude. That's altitude illness in a nutshell. Thank you to Delta Development Team for in part, sponsoring this podcast. deltadevteam.com For more content go to www.prolongedfieldcare.org Consider supporting us: patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective