Being closer to the sun saps moisture from your skin and lips. Wind takes moisture away from your body in a similar way, and exertion will cause you to expel more moisture through your mouth from heavy breathing. Dehydration quickly causes symptoms like headache and dizziness.
The best way to prevent elevation illness is to acclimate your body to higher elevations prior to undertaking strenuous exercise. This is a very effective method at preventing altitude sickness, and usually makes the difference needed to avoid getting sick from altitude.
Another important preventative measure is to drink a lot of water—3 to 4 liters daily—and increase your consumption of carbohydrates. Nutrition and hydration are almost as important as acclimatization in avoiding elevation illness. To avoid or minimize risk of mountain sickness, drink 3 to 4 liters of water per day, and more with a lot of strenuous activity. Photo: Jenna Levy.
Altitude sickness most commonly occurs at elevations above 8, feet, with high altitude ranging from 8, to 12, feet. Anything above 12, feet is considered very high altitude, and elevations above 18, feet are considered extreme.
When hiking at extreme altitudes, it is common practice to carry an oxygen tank to aid in replenishing your body with oxygen. The higher the elevation, the more at-risk a person becomes to symptoms of altitude sickness. That said, higher risk may be attributed to living in a low-altitude location, being pregnant, having a lung or heart condition, or previous experience with altitude sickness.
It effects everyone differently with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Page last reviewed: 13 March Next review due: 13 March Altitude sickness. You can get altitude sickness if you travel to a high altitude too quickly. Breathing becomes difficult because you're not able to take in as much oxygen. Your age, sex or physical fitness do not affect your likelihood of getting altitude sickness. Symptoms of altitude sickness Symptoms of altitude sickness usually develop between 6 and 24 hours after reaching altitudes more than 2,m above sea level.
Symptoms are similar to those of a bad hangover and include: headache feeling and being sick dizziness tiredness loss of appetite shortness of breath The symptoms are usually worse at night. Preventing altitude sickness The best way to prevent getting altitude sickness is to travel to altitudes above 2,m slowly.
It usually takes a few days for your body to get used to a change in altitude. You should also: avoid flying directly to areas of high altitude, if possible take 2 to 3 days to get used to high altitudes before going above 2,m avoid climbing more than m to m a day have a rest day every m to m you go up, or rest every 3 to 4 days make sure you're drinking enough water avoid smoking and alcohol avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours eat a light but high-calorie diet Medicines Consider travelling with these medicines for altitude sickness: acetazolamide to prevent and treat high-altitude sickness ibuprofen and paracetamol for headaches anti-sickness medicine, such as promethazine , for nausea In the UK, acetazolamide is not licensed to treat altitude sickness.
Promethazine is available from pharmacies. You do not need a prescription to buy it. This can take a couple of days. Make sure they avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Give them aspirin or paracetamol in the usual recommended doses. Encourage them to breathe deeply every few minutes to decrease the level of carbon dioxide in their blood. Give them the recommended doses of the drug dexamethasone.
In severe cases of altitude sickness, descend immediately. Aim for a descent of around m to 1, m. Give them diuretic drugs which promote urine production to reduce the risk of fluid accumulation. Administer oxygen from a portable oxygen cylinder. Treating altitude sickness with hyperbaric oxygen therapy Hyperbaric oxygen therapy uses specially designed chambers or rooms that can withstand high pressures.
Where to get help Your doctor Things to remember Mountain climbers are at risk of developing altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is caused by ascending too rapidly, which doesn't allow the body enough time to adjust to reduced oxygen and changes in air pressure. Symptoms include headache, vomiting, insomnia and reduced performance and coordination. In severe cases, fluid can build up within the lungs, brain or both, which can be fatal.
First aid options include descending immediately, medications and the use of oxygen administered from a portable container.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy? More information here. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all travel and holidays. Related information. Content disclaimer Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.
He also suggested avoiding significant alcohol intake during the first 24 to 48 hours, because it can exacerbate the problem.
The principle behind altitude sickness is simple, though there are many aspects that remain poorly understood. There is local vasoconstriction due to local hypoxia or low oxygen. This can induce both the mild forms of the condition and also the more severe effects. And the faster and higher you go, the higher the risk. Acclimation : Go up in increments, allowing the body time to adjust to each level before moving up to the next. Also, get plenty of rest.
Discuss this with your physician. This is the most important and most effective treatment always.
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