Altitude sickness happens when the body does not have enough time to adapt to the low oxygen in the air higher up It usually is preventable and curable, but in bad cases quickly becomes a threat to life. Travel above 8,000 feet above sea level puts you at risk because of low oxygen levels, and folks not used to such heights most commonly suffer it.
Altitude is defined thus: high is 8,000 to 12,000 feet, very high 12,000 to 18,000 feet, and extremely high above 18,000 feet. Because few people reached such levels, it is not possible to precidt who will be affected. The curve of altitude sickness varies according to the person: some adapt slowly, others do not pass a certain limit.
Altitude Sickness: Signs and What to Do
It does not depend on the physical fitness of the person.
Three forms exist of altitude sickness: acute mountain sickness, high-altitude pulmonary edema and high-altitude cerebral edema. Acute mountain sickness is the mildest and commonly happens. Symptoms feel like a hangover: headache, muscle aches, nausea.
Pulmonary edema causes fluid buildup in the lungs, which is dangerous and can risk life. Cerebral edema brings mental changes, strong headache, neurological problems such as ataxia, ultimately coma and death. For all of these the cure is descent.
You diagnose according to symptoms. At high heights headache, nausea, breathing problems or vomiting you consider altitude sickness. For acute mountain sickness use a self-score sheet.
It is good to note altitude signs since the first day for hikers and campers.
Sleep at the base of 8,000, 9,000 feet or walk there some days to help acclimate. Good sleep and enough hydration stop signs. Sports drinks with carbohydrates and salts hydrate better than pure water up there.
Initially eat lightly, more carbohydrates than proteins, avoid alcohol and smoking. Greasy foods and too much alcohol hurt digestion and signs. Because of nausea do not omit meals, the body requires calories and food to recover.
Also dogs can get altitude sickness. Watch for excessive panting, slow steps and vomiting, and immediately move themdown.
