Tips for Avoiding Altitude Sickness

There are several destinations that pose a risk of altitude sickness, including Cuzco, Peru at 11,500 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania at 19,340 feet and even certain mountain regions in the States.

The most common and mildest form of altitude-related syndromes is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Most people who travel from lower altitudes to above 8,000 feet could experience some mild symptoms. The symptoms usually begin 6-8 hours after your arrival, but can take up to 36 hours to show, and usually last a few days. AMS resembles a hangover in many ways, with headaches, loss of appetite, dizziness, insomnia, vomiting, confusion and nausea. This occurs as a result of the body’s reaction to a diminished supply of oxygen. The higher the altitude, the harder your body must work to obtain oxygen. It’s hard to predict in advance how you will be affected, if at all, as the symptoms vary from person to person.  I know for me I always feel lethargic and seem to get out of breath just walking one small flight of stairs. Just remember, anyone can get sick at high altitude regardless of age, gender or previous travel to high altitude regions.

Here are a few things you should know before your next adventure to try to limit your symptoms of Altitude Sickness:

• Give yourself enough time to acclimatize to your new surroundings. Take it easy the first few days and avoid strenuous exercise and get lots of sleep.
• Try to avoid alcohol and caffeine your first few days, eat light, and drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is important.
• If you experience symptoms, continuing to climb could be extremely dangerous. Treatment should be immediate and you should start to descend right away.
• Never leave a person with signs of altitude sickness alone.
• It is not a race to get to the top of the mountain. It is better to go slow and pace yourself. Overexertion will not get you to the top any faster.

When altitude sickness becomes more severe, common symptoms include loss of balance, the inability to make clear decisions and difficulty walking, especially uphill or on stairs. It's important to not push yourself and start descending to a lower altitude right away if feeling the above effects. It’s also a good idea to seek medical attention if necessary.

When the symptoms are severe, without medical attention one can experience high altitude pulmonary edema or high altitude cerebral edema. Cerebral edema is a condition where the brain swells and pulmonary edema is when fluid collects in the lungs. Both conditions are serious but treatable.

Following the above guidelines should help you get the most out of your next adventure in high altitude regions. Remember to listen to your body and act accordingly. By the end of the trip, chances are the memories you'll be taking home are of the people, scenery and adventures you had, rather than how you felt the first few days of the trip.

Happy Trails,

BikeHike