Do You Suffer from Altitude Sickens? Here are Some Tips to Overcome It

Dizziness, exhaustion and a jabbing headache can totally wreck a venturesome trek to the mountains or hilltops.


Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS) is a debilitating illness that can occur when one travels to a high elevation quickly.

It can affect a person irrespective of their physical fitness, age or sex.

It usually occurs on places 2,500 meters above the sea level. As altitude increases barometric pressure (pressure of the surrounding air) decreases. With the drop in pressure comes the drop in Oxygen. So one might find difficulty in breathing or to move further.

It is not that people cannot go up heights, it’s just that the body needs some time to adjust to the sudden change. People who live in places situated at higher altitudes are used to the atmospheric pressure there.

Altitude sickness is not life-threatening but if ignored, can become a medical emergency.

AMS is the least dangerous and most common of the various kinds of altitude illnesses.

The serious ones being High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Luckily these occur rarely and at extreme altitudes. Nevertheless, the symptoms of altitude sickness should never be ignored.


Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

The symptoms may develop between 6-24 hours on reaching the place.

- Nausea

- Fatigue

- Shortness of breath

- Headache

- Sleeplessness

- Restlessness

- Loss of appetite

- Indigestion


How Can You Prevent Altitude Sickness?

Acclimatization

The best way to prevent altitude sickness is to acclimatize or to give time and allow your body to adjust to the rapid change in oxygen levels. This may take a few days.

Allowing your body to slowly adjust to higher altitudes before going up 2,500 meters, reducing the distance of travel to 300 or 500 meters per day and taking a day off every 3 to 4 days can also help in the process.


Stay Hydrated

Your body can easily get dehydrated and exhausted as you gain altitude. So, drinking plenty of water is important to keep you active and healthy throughout the day. Restrict alcohol intake as it only dehydrates. It can also stimulate symptoms of the sickness.


High- Calorie Diet

Make sure to consume more calories by including proteins, fats and complex carbohydrates in your diet. Your body needs more fuel to work efficiently as air gets thinner as you go up. So pack your bags with lots of healthy wholegrain snacks and energy bars to keep yourself tireless. Consuming avocados, bananas and yogurt can also benefit you as they help in maintaining potassium levels which may go down as a result of dehydration. However, don’t consume too much, eat light.


Reduce Strenuous Physical Activity

Don’t engage in too much exercise right from the first day. As the oxygen level decreases, breathing will also get harder putting your cardiovascular system to more work. After a few days your body will gradually adjust and accommodate to this. Then you can move with full stamina!

“Climb high and sleep low”

If possible, descend to a lower elevation to sleep.


Medicines

Always ask your doctor before taking any medicines!


Acetazolamide

If you have previously experienced altitude sickness you can take Acetazolamide during or two days prior to the trip. This medicine may help prevent altitude sickness. It can cause a metallic taste to develop in your mouth and has mild side effects like frequent urination.


Paracetamol or Ibuprofen - if you develop any headaches.


How Can You Treat Altitude Sickness?

Although if you experience any of the symptoms:

- The first thing to do is stop ascending and rest at once until your symptoms are fully gone.

- If you commonly face the sickness, take the medicines prescribed by your doctor.

- Anti-sickness medicines like promethazine can help you if you don’t feel well.

- Even if the symptoms are mild don’t hesitate to inform your travel companions.

- Drink plenty of water and avoid smoking or drinking alcohol.

- Take proper rest for a day or two depending on how your condition is. Move further only when you are completely relieved.

- If the symptoms don’t improve or disappear after a day, then descend down by at least 500 meters.

- After 2 to 3 days symptoms should completely go away and your body should have acclimatized to the altitude. If not, definitely consult a doctor.


Written by - Afra Meera Ahamed

Edited by - Gunika Manchanda