The Lake Louise Self-Reporting Score (LLSRS) is a tool used to diagnose Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) in individuals at high altitudes. This is especially relevant for alpinists and mountaineers who participate in high-altitude expeditions, as well as in the Alps.
What is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)?
AMS is a condition that can affect people who ascend to high altitudes, typically above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet). The symptoms arise due to the lower oxygen levels at these elevations and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. The difficulty sleeping part of the questionnaire has been removed since 2018.
How Does the Lake Louise Self-Reporting Score Work?
The LLSRS is a self-administered questionnaire designed to assess the presence and severity of AMS symptoms in research settings. The questionnaire includes four categories, but we will use five in this research. We will include the “difficulty sleeping” question:
- Headache: Do you have a headache?
- Gastrointestinal symptoms: Do you feel nauseous, and have you vomited?
- Fatigue/ weakness: Are you feeling unusually tired or weak?
- Dizziness/ lightheadedness: Are you experiencing dizziness or lightheadedness?
- Difficulty sleeping: Are you having trouble sleeping?
- Clinical Functional Score: overall, if you had symptoms, how did they affect your activities?
For each category, individuals rate their symptoms on a scale:
0 = No symptoms
1 = Mild symptoms
2 = Moderate symptoms
3 = Severe symptoms
Headache
0—None at all
1—A mild headache
2—Moderate headache
3—Severe headache, incapacitating
Gastrointestinal symptoms
0—Good appetite
1—Poor appetite or nausea
2—Moderate nausea or vomiting
3—Severe nausea and vomiting, incapacitating
Fatigue and/or weakness
0—Not tired or weak
1—Mild fatigue/weakness
2—Moderate fatigue/weakness
3—Severe fatigue/weakness, incapacitating
Dizziness/light-headedness
0—No dizziness/light-headedness
1—Mild dizziness/light-headedness
2—Moderate dizziness/light-headedness
3—Severe dizziness/light-headedness, incapacitating
Difficulty sleeping
0—Slept as well as usual
1— Did not sleep as well as usual
2— Woke many times, poor sleep
3— Could not sleep at all
AMS Clinical Functional Score
Overall, if you had AMS symptoms, how did they affect your activities?
0—Not at all
1—Symptoms present, but did not force any change in activity or itinerary
2—My symptoms forced me to stop the ascent or to go down on my own power
3—Had to be evacuated to a lower altitude
The Lake Louise AMS score was explicitly developed for researchers studying Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). It is not intended for clinicians, professional outdoor guides, or laypersons to diagnose or manage AMS. After a recent gain in altitude (or induction of hypoxia and exposure of at least 6 hours), the AMS score is utilized: research volunteers complete the self-report questionnaire independently.
Roach, 2018
Why is the Lake Louise Self-Reporting Score important?
Even though the LLSRS should only be used for research purposes, it is still widely used as a diagnostic tool. The reason why the LLSRS is crucial is given below:
- Early Detection: It helps detect AMS early, allowing individuals to take necessary precautions before symptoms worsen. Additionally, by monitoring their clients daily using the LLSRS, expedition organizations can gain a comprehensive overview of the status of their clients, ensuring better management and safety.
- Preventive Measures: Based on the score, alpinists can decide whether to ascend slowly, stay at the current altitude, or descend to lower altitudes to alleviate symptoms. When expedition leaders communicate with an expedition doctor who is not on-site, this score improves mutual communication and ensures everyone knows the exact status of the clients. It is essential that the expedition leader is well-trained in high-altitude medicine and can both administer and interpret the score accurately.
- Health and Safety: Ensuring the health and safety of alpinists is paramount, and the LLSRS provides a straightforward method to monitor their condition. It is currently the only easy diagnostic tool available, but it is important to know its limitations.
Summary
The Lake Louise Self-Reporting Score is a simple yet effective tool for diagnosing Acute Mountain Sickness in high-altitude environments (in general and in research settings). It empowers alpinists to monitor their health and make informed decisions to ensure their well-being while enjoying their mountain adventures.
Registration app (iPhone)
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