Mt Everest Medical Questionnaire from Larry to Everest climbers

Below are the details and some comments from Larry. As we discussed, I would like to do a questionnaire to high altitude mountaineers re sleep. Last year I performed a sleep study at 21,000 ft on the north side. I studied 2 climbers. The results were impressive with frequent episodes of central apnea or periodic breathing, marked oxygen desaturation, and very little time spent in the deeper levels of sleep. I believe this disordered sleep really effects a climbers performance and success on the mountain. I thought it would be interesting to survey mountaineers re their experience with sleep.

I have enclosed a sample of the questions I would like to ask.

1) During your mountaineering experience have you ever had disturbance of sleep? yes or no

2) If so, at what altitude did you begin to note problems with sleep _____ ft or _____ meters.

3) How severe were symptoms? Mild Moderate or Severe

4) Do you feel this impaired your performance? Yes or No

5) If so to what degree Mild Moderate or Severe

6) Did you note frequent Awakenings? Yes or No

7) Did you feel like you were smothering or gasping for air? Yes or No

8) Did you have unusual or vivid dreams Yes or No

9) Did you use a medication to help with sleep? Yes or No If so what medication?

Did your sleep improve with acclimatization?

10) Did you note excessive daytime drowsiness after returning home? Yes or No. If so how long did it last?

11) How did you do on Everest? Did you Summit, etc...

12) Have you ever been diagnosed with a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. If so what treatment was recommended

Thanks, Larry Rigsby and Eric Myer MD

If you are a western Everest climbers and have climbed Everest above 6000 meters, please send Q&A back to

and if you want a FREE Water bottle, include your name and address! ONLY the first 50 to reply and get a free EVEREST NALGENE WATER BOTTLE!

Larry Rigsby MD is an Internal Medicine physician who practices in Chattanooga, TN. He is a Mountaineer and has a great interest in High Altitude Medicine and Physiology. His expeditions include Denali, Everest, Ama Dablam and Moose's tooth.

Travel Medicine for Trekkers and Climbers in the Himalayan Region By Larry Rigsby M.D.

HIGH ALTITUDE ILLNESS By Larry Rigsby M.D.

Mt Everest Medical Q&A by Larry Rigsby MD

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