I read an interesting topic on the WPSMB about how Altitude may cause Swelling with some people. I was slightly aware that heat could do this and Harvey Langford has responded to two submissions on the subject. I think this topic would be of interest to many on the WZ and I am sure several of our Drs would have info about this subject.
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I'm trying to figure out how to post on this forum. I have this swelling problem. It usually occurs above 8000 feet. It primarily affects my knees while descending from a hike. Episode 1. Hiked up half dome. 9000 feet. On the way down noted my knees getting stiff. By the time I got to the bottom I was limping badly. I'm sure there was fluid in my joints. Also had swelling of the hands. Episode 2. Hiking in grand Teton. I think at about 8000 feet. Just a day hike uphill from the parking lot. Went up for a few hours hike my sline. On the way down my knees got so uncomfortable I could barely bend them. Had I been affected sooner I would have had trouble getting off the mountain. My hands were also swollen. Episode 3. Hiking in the high uintahs Utah. 5 day hike between 8000 and 10500 feet. Had fairly severe headaches starting as soon as I got above 9000 feet. Did not have the kneee swelling that time because that hike is when I hurt my knees. 17 miles downhill in the rain the last day with a heavy wet pack. I was younger then. Episode 4. Skiing at Breckinridge. Base is 9600. The day I arrived I got a headache and it lasted 5 days til I descended. I'm sure the mechanism is the same. Leaky membranes. A form of altitude sickness. Cerebral edema. Joint effusions. High venous pressure. I have no history of heart trouble. As an aside 4 years ago I developed headache that never went away that feels like altitude headache.
