The difference between - High altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

High altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema are two different forms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). As per studies AMS affects about 40 percent travellers at an altitude of up to 10,000 feet and more than 50 percent on routes on higher altitudes which are mostly taken by trekkers.

High altitude pulmonary edema affects the lungs whereas High altitude Cerebral Edema affects the brain of the person. In HAPE an extra vascular fluid which is a fluid outside the blood vessels accumulates in the lungs of a person at high altitudes. This mostly happens when the person climbs the height very fast and this trek involves vigorous exercise. This leads to shortage of breath or dyspnoea as it is called, cough, fast heart rate and decreased oxygen levels in the arteries. On the other hand, High altitude cerebral edema is a form of AMS where the brain swells and ceases to function in the usual manner. This increases intracranial pressure and can lead to death. The major symptoms are