Prevention of Altitude Sickness:

Do not overexert yourself or move higher for the first 24 hours. Eat a high carbohydrate diet (more than 70% of your calories from carbohydrates) while at altitude. Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs including barbiturates, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills. These depressants further decrease the respiratory drive during sleep resulting in a worsening of the symptoms. Stay properly hydrated. Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid loss, so you need to drink lots of fluids to remain properly hydrated (at least 3-4 quarts per day). Take it easy; don't overexert yourself when you first get up to altitude. Light activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating the symptoms.

For a more detailed information on Altitude Sickness, click here.


   

 

All About Altitude Sickness

Altitude illness is caused by the lack of oxygen in our thin mountain air. Altitude illness can effect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition in altitudes above 6000 feet. The altitude illness seen most commonly is:

Acute Mountain Sickness (A.M.S.)

Acute Mountain Sickness is a mild form of altitude sickness which effects 20% to 30% of visitors to Colorado. The symptoms are headache, nausea, vomiting and trouble sleeping. A.M.S. looks and feels like the "flu". Most people experience the symptoms of A.M.S. in the first three days after arrival. The symptoms usually go away by the fourth day.

The incidence and severity of A.M.S. are related to altitude, speed of ascent, physical exertion and prior acclimatization. Some people are particularly susceptible to A.M.S. and experience similar episodes with each exposure. Symptoms of headache, shortness of breath, anorexia or nausea, weakness dyspnea and "flu-like" malaise may begin 6 to 48 hours after ascent.

Treatment of A.M.S.

Most people with mild A.M.S. get better with no treatment at all. People with moderate or severe symptoms should see a doctor. Things that help:

  1. Before your trip, maintain a good work/rest cycle, avoiding excessive work hours and last minute packing.
  2. Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills or narcotics, they may decrease ventilation, intensify hypoxemia and make symptoms worse.
  3. Drink plenty of fluids.
  4. Eat high-carbohydrate foods (rice, pasta, cereal) while avoiding fatty stuff.
  5. Avoid heavy exercise. Mild exercise is okay.
  6. If nothing else works, you can return to lower altitude. Going to Denver or Colorado Springs will always relieve the symptoms of A.M.S.

Prevention of A.M.S.

People who get symptoms from high altitude can take several steps to prevent symptoms on their next visit to Colorado.

  1. "Staging" or changing altitudes helps. If you are coming from sea level, it is better to spend the night in Denver or Colorado Springs. This allows your body to adjust to the altitude and will help you adjust to higher altitudes better.
  2. Certain medications, such as Diamox may be taken one to two days prior to arrival. This will "prepare" your body for our altitude.
  3. Do not over-do on your first day or two.
  4. Physical conditioning at sea level does not help.

Conclusion

Rapid ascent to high altitude can be uncomfortable for many people and dangerous for some. Headache and other symptoms of acute mountain sickness may be prevented by gradual ascent or by taking certain medications, such as Diamox.

 



 

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