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The anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen can reduce acute altitude sickness suffered by a quarter of the millions of Americans who travel to the mountains to ski or hike, according to a clinical study published Tuesday.

The original article can be found at: http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2012/03/21/3460315.htm

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what we said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

The independent expert cited in this story sums it up well: 'the effect observed in the study is small'. Among 86 people going up a Californian mountain to 1250m above sea level, 19/44 (43%) of those given three doses of ibuprofen got altitude sickness compared with 29/42 (69%) given placebo - a very small effect. On the other hand, ibuprofen is more handily available than other altitude sickness options. This story presents an accurate and clear interpreation of the study findings. It even includes some information on why altitude sickness happens and why ibuprofen might have some effect in reducing it. Well done, espcially given the subject matter is less than exciting.

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