mountain sickness

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. altitude sickness.

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mountain sickness British  

noun

1. Also called: altitude sickness.  nausea, headache, and shortness of breath caused by climbing to high altitudes (usually above 12 000 ft)

2. vet science a disease of cattle kept at high altitude in S and N America, characterized by congestive heart failure

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Etymology

Origin of mountain sickness

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

In his defence, US Navy doctors said he had been suffering from acute mountain sickness at the time of the accident.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2024

The judge said it was hard to believe that Lieutenant Alkonis had suddenly fallen unconscious because of mountain sickness, in part because he had driven to a lower elevation before the accident.

From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2023

In his appeal, Alkonis said he lost consciousness before the crash after suffering from acute mountain sickness following a hiking trip to Mount Fuji.

From Washington Times • Jan. 11, 2023

In the telling by Alkonis’ family and supporters, the naval officer abruptly lost consciousness in the car, causing him to slump over behind the wheel after suffering acute mountain sickness.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2022

But as they pressed on, climbing ever higher and higher, they began to suffer very severely, first from cold, and next from mountain sickness, due to the steadily increasing rarefaction of the atmosphere.

From Two Gallant Sons of Devon A Tale of the Days of Queen Bess by Hodgson, Edward S.