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Altitude sickness is something many associate with climbing and scaling peaks, but it's easy to forget that many destinations also serve with extreme altitudes.
There are some in South America, Asia, and Africa. In order not to endanger your health and also not to lose a day of travel, there are a few super simple tips. The most important thing is: to go up slowly, plan your route with easy climbs and get your body used to the thinner air. Drink plenty of water and get enough rest.
You're not going to get anything out of lying at 11,500 ft (3,500 meters) with headaches, aching limbs, and nausea, and just being out for 3 days – makes no sense and is miserably exhausting. In this article, we'll look at tips for prevention, symptoms, and treatment of altitude sickness so that you can travel safely to high-altitude destinations.
Prevention and Tips for Acclimatization
Plan and prepare well for a trip to higher altitudes. Because altitude sickness is not something to be trifled with. Because the further up you go, the thinner the air becomes. Our body immediately reacts to the lack of oxygen with accelerated breathing and a higher pulse.
Headaches and nausea are common symptoms. In short, you don't feel well or terrible, you lose travel days, and you can save all that by gradually acclimatizing your body to the altitude. Acute altitude sickness can be avoided by sufficient acclimatization. With successful acclimatization, your pulse is normal, and your breathing is deep.
At about 5,000 ft (1,500 m), many people begin to feel the effects of altitude. After some time at a certain altitude, your body is adapted to this altitude; how long this takes is individual. The most important recommendations to prevent altitude sickness are: Do not climb too high too fast, above 8,200 ft (2,500 m, a maximum of 984 – 1,640 ft (300 – 500 m) of altitude per day).
A rest day should be taken every three days. Never continue ascending with symptoms of altitude sickness! Escape routes to lower regions should always be possible.
- Tip: Prescription medications, especially the sulfonamides acetazolamide, help. The prerequisite is a prior medical prescription and consultation.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of altitude sickness is a headache. These are usually accompanied by nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Other symptoms may include vomiting, confusion, and sleep disturbances. If any of these symptoms occur, it's important to take a break and rest.
From our experience, we can only advise you to expect such symptoms even slightly late. We got it in the middle of our sleep and were lucky that painkillers and bed rest helped.
- Tip: Tour operators, hotels, trains, buses, and anyone dealing with altitude often have a bottle of oxygen
But in some cases, symptoms can be more severe. If a person has trouble breathing, tightness in the chest, or a bluish tinge to the skin, see a doctor immediately. These are signs of a more serious form of altitude sickness called high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).
Treatment
Treatment of altitude sickness depends on the severity. Rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding strenuous activity will help in mild cases. In general, it remains the same: slowly get used to the altitude and plan your trip accordingly. Because dragging yourself up a mountain half-sick, including gasping for breath, will not do you any good. It's better to plan ahead and enjoy everything in peace.
As soon as you feel too unwell, go to the doctor. Acetazolamide reduces the fluid in the lungs, which can help relieve symptoms. Ibuprofen and dexamethasone can also help. But sometimes sufferers need to be taken to a lower altitude; better not to risk it and approach it slowly.
Nutrition
In addition to medications, some natural remedies can relieve symptoms. A diet, rich in carbohydrates and plenty of fluids, helps. In addition, alcohol and caffeine should also be avoided. Ginger is a natural remedy that has been shown to relieve nausea and vomiting. However, it is essential to know that ginger can interact with medications, so clarify the point before taking it.
Altitude Sickness Children
Symptoms in children can be more challenging to interpret. Some are very restless, and others lack appetite, vomit, have altered play behavior, or have severe sleep disturbances may be affected.
It is also problematic that young children cannot express themselves as clearly. In addition, their bodies can adapt more slowly to altitude because they are still developing. Therefore, you should slow down with children and consult with the pediatrician in advance. If your child suffers from the symptoms of altitude sickness, you should consult a doctor.
Conclusion
Altitude sickness is a medical condition that can be dangerous if not treated properly. You must be aware of the symptoms and know possible countermeasures. A doctor can recommend medications or natural remedies to help relieve your symptoms. You can travel safely to high-altitude destinations with the proper knowledge and precautions.
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