--M. Cartmill, the prudent and safe thing is to assume that it is indeed altitude sickness. If you do fly or drive somewhere and cant spend time at lower elevations on the way, the drug acetazolamide can help speed up acclimatization. Being overweight also doesnt increase your risk. Altitude sickness is most common at elevations above 8,000 feet. The most important treatment for altitude illness is descent of 1,000 to 3,300 ft, with supplemental oxygen if available. When this happens, symptoms include being confused, not being able to walk straight (ataxia), feeling faint, not being able to catch your breath even at rest, and having blue or gray lips or fingernails. It doesnt seem to be related to age or sex, although people with underlying heart and lung issues may be more vulnerable. Dexamethasone is recommended for patients with HAPE who have neurologic dysfunction that does not resolve rapidly with supplemental oxygen. Ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory medicine, can also help. It usually happens at altitudes higher than 8,000 feet. Altitude sickness can become acute mountain sickness, which includes cerebral edema (HACE) or pulmonary edema (HAPE), both of which can be life-threatening, he said. People who do not spend enough time acclimatizing to a new altitude before progressing further have the highest risk of developing altitude sickness. One of the most prominent symptoms of AMS is severe headache, as well as: Some individuals may have mild symptoms, while others have more severe effects of altitude sickness and altitude headaches. This raises their pulse and their breathing rate. Most people who have heart or lung disease can safely spend time at a high altitude if their condition is under control. The primary symptom of altitude sickness is a headache. Weboregon 259. Because of high altitude and clear air, nighttime temperatures average 30F to 40F below daytime highs. Unless terrain, weather, or injuries make descent impossible, patients should descend until symptoms resolve (typically a descent of 1,000 to 3,300 ft [300 to 1,000 m]). The recommended prophylactic dosage for adults is 125 mg every 12 hours; the dosage for children is 2.5 mg per kg (maximum: 125 mg) every 12 hours. Common sweetener erythritol tied to higher risk of stroke and heart attack, Gout: How metabolic syndrome may increase the risk, A new therapeutic target for the prevention of heart failure due to aortic stenosis, Skipping breakfast and fasting may compromise the immune system, Kilimanjaro Climbers Underestimate The Risks Of Potentially Fatal Altitude Sickness, how fast a person ascends to a high altitude, the amount of time spent at that altitude, a persistent cough, occasionally with pinkish sputum, a persistent headache that does not respond to painkillers. Altitude sickness is something that can affect people who climb or travel to an altitude of more than 2500 metres, particularly if they climb or travel up (ascend) too quickly. by Maitland82 Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:10 pm, Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. HAPE causes fluid to build up in the lungs, preventing oxygen from getting into the bloodstream. This is the most important and most effective treatment always. Altitude sickness occurs when a person rapidly ascends to high altitudes, normally above 8,000 ft. You will need medical treatment. Youre also at high risk if you ascend rapidly and climb more than 1,600 feet per day. Depending on the type and severity of your chronic illness, your doctor can let you know if its safe for you to travel there. Headache at high altitudes was even an issue during the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. The potato is a nutritious marvel. 1995-2023 Healthwise, Incorporated. This may take from 12 hours to 3 or 4 days. For example, a research study of 379 adult men who lived more than 10 years in Peru at an altitude of 14,200 feet showed headaches were still common despite living at that height for so long. Your doctor may also do a chest X-ray to look for signs of fluid or lung collapse. If you have a more moderate case of altitude sickness, your symptoms might feel more intense and not improve with over-the-counter medications. Do not go to a higher altitude until your symptoms go away. Also, get plenty of rest. Have a health condition that makes it hard to breathe normally. Never let someone with severe altitude sickness go down alone. Who gets altitude sickness? Your doctor will ask you a series of questions to look for symptoms of altitude sickness. The principle behind altitude sickness is simple, though there are many aspects that remain poorly understood. The best way you can lower your chance of getting altitude sickness is through acclimatization. Here is my encounter of which the final stage happened just above 9,000 feet: "As an adolescent I aspired to lasting fame, I craved factual certainty, and I thirsted for a meaningful vision of human life - so I became a scientist. Yes, Recommendations based on patient-oriented outcomes? Go up gradually. If you have these symptoms, go to a lower altitude right away and get medical help. Headaches were common in individuals who traveled along ancient silk routes in Asia. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Oxygen: If the situation is acute, then oxygen can be administered. About 24 hours should be sufficient. Acute altitude sickness may develop into more severe conditions, including high-altitude cerebral edema and high-altitude pulmonary edema. Nifedipine (Procardia) and dexamethasone are also used for altitude sickness. In response, the body creates more red blood cells to carry more oxygen. Your risk increases if you have a history of altitude sickness. If they do not get medical help, this can lead to potentially fatal complications. It is smart to take special care if you go high-altitude hiking or camping (like in the Rockies) or have plans for a vacation or trek in high-altitude countries like Peru, Ecuador, or Nepal. Its initial symptoms are shortness of breath accompanied by a dry cough. If you are hiking or camping, you and those with you need to know the symptoms of altitude sickness. If possible, we recommend that you gradually travel to a high altitude and rest/limit activity to allow your body time to adjust to the altitude and decreased oxygen in your blood. The incidence depends on how high people are going (and from what starting altitude)and how fast they ascend. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn about general health issues that may not be related to Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders. It is difficult to put exact numbers to this, Bull said, although reported incidence in visitors sleeping 8,000 feet or higher is between 15 and 40 percent. AMS headaches can get worse with coughing, straining or lying flat. You can take other steps to avoid head pain or limit your discomfort when traveling to areas with very high altitudes. Acetazolamide: This medication corrects the chemical imbalance in the blood caused by altitude sickness and speeds up a persons breathing rate. Live the pain-free life youve been searching for. Emergency care If you have a chronic illness, talk to your doctor before you travel to a high altitude. If you live in a place thats located at a moderately high altitude, you get used to the air pressure. There are 3 main types of high-altitude illness. Other studies have shown that headache occurs in almost half of those who climb, trek or ski at heights over 9,900 feet. Symptoms usually come on within 12 to 24 hours of reaching a higher elevation and then get better within a day or two as your body adjusts to the change in altitude. Staged ascent and preacclimatization to hypoxia also reduce risk. However, you should seek medical attention if you have advanced symptoms of acute mountain sickness. For a doctor to diagnose a person with altitude sickness, the person must have climbed to an altitude higher than 8,000 ft, present with a headache, and be experiencing other associated symptoms. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. It is usually treated with, Live in a place with a low altitude and travel to a place with a high altitude. But its a mountainous high desert that sits at 3,600-feet above sea level. Im traveling to a place with high altitudes. If you walk, hike, or climb over 10,000 feet, only go up an additional 1,000 feet per day. Other pharmacologic options that are not recommended for AMS prevention include acetaminophen, antioxidants, dietary nitrates, ginkgo, inhaled budesonide (Rhinocort), iron, leukotriene receptor blockers, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, salicylic acid, spironolactone, and sumatriptan (Imitrex). As with AMS and HACE, gradual ascent is the primary method to prevent HAPE. Get the most popular stories delivered to your inbox monthly. Migraine headaches can be commonplace in people with chronic exposure to high altitudes. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/altitude-sickness/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532282/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5218879/, https://www.resmedjournal.com/article/S0954-6111(18)30363-9/fulltext, https://err.ersjournals.com/content/26/143/160096.long, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539701/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789936/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4913504/. Controlling the rate of ascentspecifically, gradually increasing sleeping altitude over several daysis recommended to prevent AMS and HACE. If you are going on a high-altitude trek, learn about altitude sickness, its symptoms, and how to treat it. Neither your fitness level nor being male or female plays a role in whether you get altitude sickness. And the faster and higher you go, the higher the risk. Your risk also depends on where you live and the altitude there, your age (young people are more likely to get it), and whether youve had altitude sickness before. The pressure of the air that surrounds you is called barometric or atmospheric pressure. This causes symptoms such as a headache, loss of appetite, and trouble sleeping. A dangerous and life-threatening type of altitude sickness is High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Symptoms of AMS, the most common form of altitude illness, include headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, and insomnia. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Taking more than two days to climb 8,200 to 9,800 feet can help reduce your risk. There are 3 main types of high-altitude illness. Painkillers: Acetaminophens, such as Tylenol, can be taken for headaches. Salmeterol (Serevent) is not recommended, and the benefit of acetazolamide is not known. UCHealth has a High Altitude Clinic specifically for the assessment of altitude sickness. To learn more about the High Altitude Clinic offered through the Comprehensive Lung and Breathing Program in Metro Denver, call 855.586.4824. The symptoms can feel like a hangover -- dizziness, headache, muscle aches, nausea. When feasible, staged ascent and preacclimatization should be considered. MS: Can the Mediterranean diet help preserve cognitive health? These cookies do not store any personal information. High is the key word there (and I promise it has nothing to do with legalized marijuana in Oregon). Symptoms include headache and insomnia. Drink plenty of water, but do not drink alcohol. Chronic mountain sickness is common in many cultures across the globe. When taking this medicine, drink a lot of water and avoid alcohol. For example, in the United States, spend a night in Denver before going to the Rocky Mountains. It occurs at extreme high altitudes. 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