Whether youre gearing up for a trek in the Himalayas or warming up for snowboarding in the Rockies, you should be prepared for the possible onset of altitude sickness. High altitudes are stressful on the body, and lack of oxygen up high can produce slightly debilitating effects, such as fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nausea, and a drunken gait. Altitude sickness generally doesnt occur below 10,000 feet, but people have suffered its symptoms lower than 8,000 feet.
Theres not much you can do to prevent this problem, but there are ways of alleviating its effects. The key to doing this is simple: take it easy. Take a day or two before trekking to acclimatize yourself to the elevation. Go at your own pace, and dont take chances. Even if youre in excellent shape, dont be fooled. The lack of oxygen at such high altitudes can definitely throw your lungs for a loop. Walk at a comfortable, slow pace and dont carry too much weight. Make sure to hydrate yourself regularly, drinking six to eight glasses of water per day; camelbacks are excellent mountain companions because of their convenient water portability. Taking antioxidant vitamins (A, C, and E) also helps reduce the effects of high altitudes. Working out before you go is another great preventative measure. While this doesnt guarantee an easier time when up high, it can enhance your lungs ability to cope with the challenges of high elevations.
If youre planning on climbing really high (at least 15,000 feet), try to spread out your ascent over a period of two or three days to give your body more time to adapt. Consider playing by the climb-high, sleep-low theory of trekking: go on a short hike to a higher elevation, then return to the (lower) elevation at which youll sleep. Trekkers should also try not to climb more than 1,000 feet per day when above 9,000 or 10,000 feet.
Physical fitness, as mentioned above, is no guarantee against developing altitude sickness. Past excursions to high elevations without developing symptoms is similarly no guarantee against getting sick. Theres no way to predict who is more susceptible to altitude sickness, although trekkers who overexert themselves, those who are panting or breathless, and those who stagger far behind the rest of the group are likely candidates.
Surefire signs of impending illness include extreme fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, and shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, the best thing to do is take a break from climbing for a couple days to acclimatize. Once the symptoms disappear, its safe for you to continue. If the symptoms persist or get worse, you should descend to a lower elevation.
People with heart disease or respiratory problems are advised not to attempt trekking in high elevations; people traveling to high altitudes who take medication for hypertension should consult with their doctor about increasing dosages. Pregnant women should stay below 12,000 feet. Children are the most susceptible to altitude sickness and should be observed closely for any symptoms. Infants should not be taken to high elevations. Sleeping pills, sedatives, and alcohol should not be consumed at high altitudes--downers slow your breathing and increase your risk of altitude sickness, while drinking alcohol at high elevations will get you drunker faster than you ever imagined. (And not in the fun way.)
More serious levels of the illness include increasing tiredness, severe headaches, vomiting, and loss of coordination, and are indicative of acute mountain sickness (AMS). If such symptoms appear, dont hesitate to get immediate medical attention. If serious symptoms go ignored for more than 12 hours, they could have dire--even fatal--effects, such as accumulation of fluid in the lungs or brain. The most important symptom of AMS is loss of coordination. If someone staggers or walks in a drunken gait, check them out for further signs of AMS. A good test is, essentially, the polices test for drunkenness--ask the person to walk in a straight line, placing one foot directly in front of the other without staggering or losing balance. If the person cannot perform, he or she should descend immediately--and never alone. Go slowly and without exertion, and ideally while its light outside. Descent should continue until symptoms begin to decrease; relief usually occurs within 1,000 to 1,500 feet.
There are prescription drugs out there that you can take for severe symptoms. The most common is called Diamox; it works by stimulating your breathing. Diamox is a strong medication and has some slight side effects, so avoid taking it if you can. Consult with your physician if you feel that taking Diamox would be necessary.
