Differential Diagnosis for SAMS
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): This is the most likely diagnosis given the acronym SAMS, which could be a typographical error or variation in terminology for AMS. AMS occurs when the body cannot adapt well to high altitudes, resulting in symptoms such as headache, nausea, and fatigue.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): This condition can occur in conjunction with or following AMS and involves fluid buildup in the lungs due to high altitude, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and cough.
- High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): Similar to HAPE but involves fluid buildup in the brain, leading to severe headache, confusion, and loss of coordination.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Although less common, PE can present with similar symptoms to HAPE, such as shortness of breath, and is critical to diagnose due to its high mortality rate if untreated.
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): These conditions can mimic the neurological symptoms of HACE, such as confusion and loss of coordination, and require immediate medical attention.
- Rare diagnoses
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A rare but potentially fatal condition that could present with a sudden, severe headache, which might be confused with the headache associated with AMS or HACE.
- Meningitis: An infection that inflames the meninges, which could present with symptoms overlapping those of HACE, such as severe headache and confusion, although fever would be a distinguishing feature.