altitude sickness

noun

: the effects (such as headache, nausea, or swelling of the brain) of oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues developed at high altitudes having reduced atmospheric pressure see mountain sickness

Examples of altitude sickness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sipping on Peruvian coffee or mate de coca — a beverage made from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca), which abates altitude sickness — visitors on day trips get a glimpse of Uros history, culture and engineering. —Tim Brinkhof, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2023

How to prevent altitude sickness, and how not to Can people become immune to altitude sickness? —Allie Conti, Field & Stream, 27 Sep. 2023

And, as previously mentioned, the earliest signs of altitude sickness can feel like a hangover. —Allie Conti, Field & Stream, 27 Sep. 2023

Among his many scientific feats, he is considered the first to attribute altitude sickness to a lack of oxygen, the first to discover the location of the magnetic equator and also the first to describe how human action impacts ecosystems and local climate. —Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Aug. 2022

Any climb at these heights has inherent risks, not least of which is debilitating altitude sickness from the oxygen-thin air. —Lori Rackl, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2023

But don’t let the risk of altitude sickness scare you off entirely. —Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2023

Maybe just stock up on altitude sickness medication before taking off. —Siobhan Reid, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 June 2023

Some other altitude sickness medications include dexamethasone and nifedipine. —Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 14 June 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

altitude sickness

noun

al·​ti·​tude sickness ˌal-tə-ˌt(y)üd- 

: the effects (as nosebleed, nausea, headache, or cerebral edema) of oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues developed at high altitudes with reduced atmospheric pressure