Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a well-documented syndrome that affects 42% of non-acclimatized individuals traveling to altitudes above 10,000 feet. Decreased barometric pressure, which leads to low blood oxygen levels, is the primary casual factor of AMS. Symptoms of AMS are characterized by headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue and difficultly sleeping. Moreover, when people travel to high altitude, cognitive performance and endurance exercise capacity are impaired. Therefore, the goal of this research is to identify effective pharmacological agents that will help reduce the symptoms of AMS and improve physical and cognitive performance at high altitude. The investigators will study the efficacy of the dietary supplement, quercetin, the drugs nifedipine (extended release) and methazolamide taken together, the drug metformin, and the drug nitrite in reducing symptoms of AMS and improving cognitive and exercise performance at high altitudes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
148
Alma College
Alma, Michigan, United States
Change in Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire at High Altitude
Self-reported assessment of AMS symptoms (headache, lightheaded, dizzy, etc.). The 11-item Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire measures Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms (nausea, weakness, lightheadedness, dizziness, headache, etc.). Possible scores range from 0 to 55 (0-5 per item), with higher scores indicating a better outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and during high altitude exposure (3 days, AM/PM)
Change in Lake Louise AMS Scoring System at High Altitude
Self-reported assessment of AMS symptoms (headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue and difficultly sleeping). The Lake Louise AMS Scoring System measures symptoms of altitude sickness. Possible scores range from 0 to 16, with higher scores indicating a worse outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and during high altitude exposure (3 days, AM/PM)
Change in Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) at High Altitude
Timed 2 mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) measures physical fitness. Higher scores indicate a better outcome. A score of 60 is considered minimum "passing" score. The maximum possible score is 300, indicating the highest level of physical fitness.
Time frame: Baseline, 1st day at high altitude
Change in Uphill Hike at High Altitude
Timed 3.1 mile uphill run/hike, with weighted back-pack
Time frame: 2nd day at altitude
Change in Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment (DANA) Reaction Time at High Altitude
Battery of nine cognitive function tests. The Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment (DANA) measures cognitive function and was used to measure mean reaction time. Possible scores range from 180 to 500 milliseconds, with lower scores indicating a better outcome.
Time frame: Baseline and and 1st day at high altitude
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