When planning that long-awaited skiing or hiking trip in the mountains, it’s a good idea to understand the potential impact of higher elevations on your body. Especially if you live at a lower elevation, from sea level to a few thousand feet, moving too quickly to altitudes over 8000 feet (2,400 M) may induce some altitude sickness.
Altitude Sickness symptoms may seem much like the flu or a hangover. However, if you experience multiple symptoms within hours of arriving at high altitude, it’s a good idea to proceed with caution. Stop, rest, and don’t ascend any higher for 24-48 hours. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Avoid alcohol, smoking and strenuous activity. It’s okay to take medication for headache and nausea.
If symptoms persist, it may be best to move to a lower elevation until you have recovered. Proceeding to a higher elevation after already experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness can lead to more serious, even deadly syndromes such as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), as fluid gathers in the lungs or brain.
With proper precautions, most enthusiasts can enjoy the adventures to be had at high altitude without uncomfortable side effects. It’s best not to climb more than 1,000 feet per day. Many sports retailers now sell oxygen in canisters which can help alleviate the effects of the thinner atmosphere. The following is a list of symptoms to watch out for when ascending over 8,000 feet:
1. Headache
Developing a headache is not uncommon in higher altitudes, especially for those who are prone to migraines even at lower altitudes. However, if a headache begins to develop within hours of arriving at a higher altitude and is combined with several of the following symptoms, it should be considered a warning sign.
High altitude headache, or HAH, often begins as a dull pressure and develops into a headache in the temple and forehead area that is aggravated by bending or exertion. HAH is considered the most common symptom of the onset of altitude sickness. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and slow your pace or take a complete break until your body adjusts to the higher elevation. When descending, the headache should dissipate within about eight hours. If headaches are not uncommon for you, feel free to take your regular non-narcotic medication.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]2. Dizziness
Dizziness or light-headedness can be caused by several factors, including dehydration. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids to make up for the increase in exertion, especially water. If you begin experiencing a feeling of dizziness or disorientation, sit down, breath deeply, and slowly sip water. For safety’s sake, do not continue hiking or other sport until all symptoms have passed.
If you have access to a supplemental oxygen supply, take small doses as you rest until you no longer feel dizzy or weak. If dizziness occurs with an accompanying headache, it may become necessary to descend to where you last felt well and rest until your body has had time to adjust to the increased altitude.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]3. Nausea
Like dizziness, nausea, the feeling of stomach unrest and the urge to vomit, can be caused by numerous factors. If you have had no headache or other symptoms and have been at the same higher elevation for two or more days, your symptoms are most likely not altitude sickness. However, if nausea occurs with other symptoms within hours of arriving at a higher elevation, it could be symptomatic of altitude sickness. Stop, rest, and take time to adjust. Many experts say that it is okay to take an anti-nausea medication such as promethazine to ease symptoms.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]4. Vomiting
Vomiting can lead to severe dehydration and weakness. If you become ill enough to vomit, it is time to stop or begin retracing your steps to a more comfortable altitude. Vomiting, when experienced with the other listed symptoms, can be a sign of a more severe progression in your reaction to reduced oxygen levels and barometric pressure. Stop, rest completely, supplement your oxygen intake and continue to sip water as much as possible. If helpful, take anti-nausea medication. Do not increase elevation until symptoms have disappeared.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]5. Fatigue And Loss Of Energy
It is not unusual when expending large amounts of energy hiking or skiing to experience fatigue. Fatigue and loss of energy can be a result of dehydration or a need to consume more of the right foods to produce extra energy. However, if combined with a feeling of pins and needles in the hands and feet or swelling of hands, feet or face, it can be a sign that altitude sickness is becoming more acute. Again, stop and rest. Move to a lower altitude if symptoms do not lessen within a few hours. Drink plenty of water and rest for at least 24 hours.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]6. Shortness Of Breath
A headache, some fatigue and insomnia are considered early symptoms of altitude sickness. For some, shortness of breath can occur when initially adjusting to increased activity. But if it becomes more and more difficult to breathe, this could be a symptom of fluids beginning to develop in the lungs. If shortness of breath is not quickly eased by rest and oxygen supplementation, or if difficulty breathing is accompanied by a cough producing white or pink froth, move to a lower elevation and seek immediate medical attention. If rest and oxygen seem to help and there is no cough, rest for one or two days before proceeding any higher in altitude.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]7. Less Appetite
Many symptoms working together can cause a sufferer of altitude sickness to experience less appetite. Less oxygen in your bloodstream causes your body’s functions to work less efficiently and your body’s responses to become sluggish. Although you may not feel hungry, your body still requires the proper intake of nutrients to maintain high-energy activities. The best plan is to take it slow and rest often. Make sure you drink plenty of water and other electrolyte-rich drinks. Give your body time to adjust to the higher altitudes. Eat plenty of nutritious, high-carb snacks. Get plenty of rest. And if you notice that you are experiencing multiple symptoms of high altitude sickness, including less appetite, protect your health by moving back to a lower altitude for a day or two.
