acute mountain sickness
noun
: altitude sickness that is experienced usually within several hours to one day of ascending above 8000 to 10,000 feet (about 2500 to 3000 meters) and that is marked by headache, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, insomnia, dizziness, and fatigue, and may lead to serious complications including severe edema of the brain or lungs —abbreviation AMS
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web His symptoms — paleness and a loss of consciousness — align with those of acute mountain sickness, which can affect people at altitudes above 8,000 feet, according to information published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. 
Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2022 His symptoms - paleness and a loss of consciousness - align with those of acute mountain sickness, which can affect people at altitudes above 8,000 feet, according to information published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Andrew Jeong, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2022 The mild version is acute mountain sickness (AMS), which mostly just manifests as feeling like crap. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 19 May 2021 Most had ankle or knee injuries or acute mountain sickness. Shanti Lerner, The Arizona Republic, 4 Aug. 2021 Sure enough, the trekkers with the biggest lungs, the biggest spleens, and the biggest reduction in heart rate during a breath-hold were the least likely to develop symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 27 Feb. 2020 Guzzle water: Drinking plenty of H2O prevents dehydration, which has symptoms similar to those of acute mountain sickness. National Geographic, 5 Oct. 2019 Yes, lowlanders who ascend to 2500 meters or higher often develop acute mountain sickness, including headaches and nausea. Xing Liu, Science Magazine, 12 Sep. 2019 Though the snow is cleared during those three months, the risk of avalanche is still high, not to mention the risk of acute mountain sickness due to low air pressure and low oxygen. Olivia Putnal, Woman's Day, 19 Oct. 2010 See More
Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2022 His symptoms - paleness and a loss of consciousness - align with those of acute mountain sickness, which can affect people at altitudes above 8,000 feet, according to information published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Andrew Jeong, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2022 The mild version is acute mountain sickness (AMS), which mostly just manifests as feeling like crap. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 19 May 2021 Most had ankle or knee injuries or acute mountain sickness. Shanti Lerner, The Arizona Republic, 4 Aug. 2021 Sure enough, the trekkers with the biggest lungs, the biggest spleens, and the biggest reduction in heart rate during a breath-hold were the least likely to develop symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 27 Feb. 2020 Guzzle water: Drinking plenty of H2O prevents dehydration, which has symptoms similar to those of acute mountain sickness. National Geographic, 5 Oct. 2019 Yes, lowlanders who ascend to 2500 meters or higher often develop acute mountain sickness, including headaches and nausea. Xing Liu, Science Magazine, 12 Sep. 2019 Though the snow is cleared during those three months, the risk of avalanche is still high, not to mention the risk of acute mountain sickness due to low air pressure and low oxygen. Olivia Putnal, Woman's Day, 19 Oct. 2010 See More Word History
First Known Use
1903, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
acute mountain sickness
noun
: altitude sickness that is experienced usually within several hours to one day of ascending above 8000 to 10,000 feet (about 2500 to 3000 meters) and that is marked by headache, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, insomnia, dizziness, and fatigue
Note: Acute mountain sickness can lead to serious complications including severe edema of the brain or lungs.
… acute mountain sickness … is common in travelers who ascend rapidly to altitudes above 8,000 feet. Erick A. Weiss, Rock & Ice Magazine
—abbreviation AMS Erick A. Weiss, Rock & Ice Magazine