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

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

The symptoms of acute mountain sickness include headache, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and flulike malaise, and they can all occur without any physical exertion.

From Slate • Feb. 26, 2018

Later in 1913 Vallot, using squirrels, demonstrated a decrease in physical performance at the top of Mont Blanc, leading to the study of ventilation and the discovery of acute mountain sickness and acclimatization.

From New York Times • Nov. 14, 2012

Suspecting an attack of "mountain sickness" owing to the rarity of the atmosphere, I attempted to rise and close the scuttles, but found that I had lost all power in my lower limbs.

From A Trip to Venus by Munro, John