A person who goes to a high altitude may develop a headache as a result.
Patient selection: headache and at altitude
Clinical features of a high altitude headache:
(1) The headache occurs after an ascent to an altitude > 2500 meters.
(2) The onset is within 24 hours of the ascent.
(3) The headache has 2 or more of the following features:
(3a) bilateral
(3b) frontal or frontotemporal
(3c) described as dull or pressing
(3d) intensity is mild to moderate
(3e) it is aggravated by exertion, bending, movement, straining or coughing
(4) The headache resolves within 8 hours of descent to below 2,500 meters.
(5) There is no other diagnosis that can explain the headache better.
