Which symptom is NOT associated with altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), typically arises when a person ascends to high altitudes too quickly, leading to a decrease in oxygen availability. Common symptoms include fatigue, nausea, and headache, all of which are manifestations of the body struggling to adapt to lower oxygen levels.

Fatigue occurs due to the body working harder to oxygenate and supply energy at high elevation, while nausea can result from decreased oxygen and changes in blood flow to the brain and digestive system. Additionally, headache is a prevalent symptom caused by the increased pressure in the brain due to hypoxia and possibly dehydration.

In contrast, increased appetite is not a symptom typically associated with altitude sickness. In fact, many individuals experience a decreased appetite due to the symptoms of AMS. The combination of nausea and overall malaise often leads people to eat less rather than more at high altitudes. This lack of appetite makes it clear that increased appetite does not align with the physiological responses to altitude. Thus, identifying increased appetite as the symptom not associated with altitude sickness is accurate.