Acute mountain sickness in athletes with neurological impairments

Kamaraj, Deepan C.; Dicianno, Brad E.; Cooper, Rory A.; Hunter, John C.; Tang, Jennifer L

doi:10.1682/jrrd.2012.03.0042

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…133 Another study has found that athletes with neurological impairments (including MS) with a prior history of AMS and headache at HA have a higher Lake Louise Score (LLS). 134 Nine MS patients participated to a 5-day expedition to Machu Picchu and most of them experienced altitude sickness >3600 m or more and were treated with analgesic if needed, they also reported transient sensory complaints and increased equilibrium disturbances but without evidence for any relapses. 135 Beyond hypobaric hypoxia (HH), other environmental stressors such as temperature (T) may affect negatively MS patients.…”

Section: Cranial Nerve Palsiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommendations for traveling to altitude with neurological disorders

Falla

Giardini²,

Angelini

2021

J Cent Nerv Syst Dis

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Background Several neurological conditions might worsen with the exposure to high altitude (HA). The aim of this review was to summarize the available knowledge on the neurological HA illnesses and the risk for people with neurological disorders to attend HA locations. Methods A search of literature was conducted for several neurological disorders in PubMed and other databases since 1970. The neurological conditions searched were migraine, different cerebrovascular disease, intracranial space occupying mass, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathies, neuromuscular disorders, epileptic seizures, delirium, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Results Attempts were made to classify the risk posed by each condition and to provide recommendations regarding medical evaluation and advice for or against traveling to altitude. Individual cases should be advised after careful examination and risk evaluation performed either in an outpatient mountain medicine service or by a physician with knowledge of HA risks. Preliminary diagnostic methods and anticipation of neurological complications are needed. Conclusions Our recommendations suggest absolute contraindications to HA exposure for the following neurological conditions: (1) Unstable conditions–such as recent strokes, (2) Diabetic neuropathy, (3) Transient ischemic attack in the last month, (4) Brain tumors, and 5. Neuromuscular disorders with a decrease of forced vital capacity >60%. We consider the following relative contraindications where decision has to be made case by case: (1) Epilepsy based on recurrence of seizure and stabilization with the therapy, (2) PD (± obstructive sleep apnea syndrome-OSAS), (3) Mild Cognitive Impairment (± OSAS), and (4) Patent foramen ovale and migraine have to be considered risk factors for acute mountain sickness.

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Section: Cranial Nerve Palsiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommendations for traveling to altitude with neurological disorders

Falla

Giardini²,

Angelini

2021

J Cent Nerv Syst Dis

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“…In sensory-motor peripheral neuropathies, both inherited or acquired there is risk related to the relative insensitivity of the foot during walking or climbing. In diabetic neuropathy, there is in addition a microvascular abnormality 47 . Such patients must wear comfortable shoes that are not tight to help promote a continuous blood flow to peripheral extremities since the activity of skeletal muscles and their body temperature is critical.…”

Section: Oxygen Supplementationmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Altitude Neurology

Angelini

2024

JIH

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“…► Data have shown that athletes with neurological impairment report a high rate of acute mountain sickness (Kamaraj et al 72 )…”

Section: Cerebral Palsymentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparing for snow-sport events at the Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2022: recommendations and remaining questions

Fagher

Baumgart

Solli

et al. 2022

BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med

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During the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing, the Para snow-sport events will be held at high altitudes and in possibly cold conditions while also requiring adjustment to several time zones. Furthermore, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may lead to suboptimal preparations. Another concern is the high rate of injuries that have been reported in the Para alpine and snowboard events. In addition to these challenges, Para athletes various impairments may affect both sports-specific demands and athlete health. However, the group of Para snow-sport athletes is an understudied population. Accordingly, this perspective paper summarises current knowledge to consider when preparing for the Paralympic Games in Beijing and point out important unanswered questions. We here focus specifically on how sport-specific demands and impairment-related considerations are influenced by altitude acclimatisation, cold conditions, travel fatigue and jetlag, complications due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and injury prevention and sports safety considerations. As Para athletes with spinal cord injury, limb deficiency, cerebral palsy and visual impairment account for the majority of the Para snow-sport athletes, the focus is mainly on these impairment groups. In brief, we highlight the extra caution required to ensure athlete health, performance and sports safety among Para athletes participating in the snow-sport events in the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Games. Although there is an urgent need for more high-quality research focusing on Para winter athletes, we hope these non-consensus recommendations will help prepare for the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Winter Games.

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Acute mountain sickness in athletes with neurological impairments

Cited by 11 publications

References 20 publications

Recommendations for traveling to altitude with neurological disorders

Recommendations for traveling to altitude with neurological disorders

High Altitude Neurology

Preparing for snow-sport events at the Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2022: recommendations and remaining questions

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