What is altitude sickness

These medications could mask the early warning signs. Only climb with experienced guides. Increase your fluid intake. You may need up to seven litres every day. Avoid cigarettes and alcohol. Sleeping tablets must not be used, as they can lead to an increase in hypoxia due to their central nervous system depressing action. Be aware that you are at increased risk of altitude sickness if you have experienced it before. First aid for altitude sickness Use the 'buddy system', because you will most likely refuse to acknowledge your own symptoms of altitude sickness.

If one of your party is showing the signs of altitude sickness, first aid suggestions include: Don't climb any higher.

Camp and wait until the symptoms subside. This can take a couple of days. Make sure they avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Give them aspirin or paracetamol in the usual recommended doses. Encourage them to breathe deeply every few minutes to decrease the level of carbon dioxide in their blood. Give them the recommended doses of the drug dexamethasone. In severe cases of altitude sickness, descend immediately. Aim for a descent of around m to 1, m. Give them diuretic drugs which promote urine production to reduce the risk of fluid accumulation.

Administer oxygen from a portable oxygen cylinder. Treating altitude sickness with hyperbaric oxygen therapy Hyperbaric oxygen therapy uses specially designed chambers or rooms that can withstand high pressures. Where to get help Your doctor Things to remember Mountain climbers are at risk of developing altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is caused by ascending too rapidly, which doesn't allow the body enough time to adjust to reduced oxygen and changes in air pressure.

Symptoms include headache, vomiting, insomnia and reduced performance and coordination. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than Aspirin has been linked to Reye syndrome , a serious illness. You may also use medicine to reduce feeling sick to your stomach or other symptoms. A doctor can give you acetazolamide. This speeds up how fast your body gets used to the higher altitude. Nifedipine Adalat XL and dexamethasone are also used for altitude sickness.

You may also be able to use oxygen or a specially designed pressure chamber to treat altitude sickness. Go to a lower altitude if your symptoms are moderate to severe, they get worse, or medicine or oxygen treatment does not help.

Go down at least m ft. Go to a lower altitude as fast as you can or get emergency help if someone with you has severe symptoms such as being confused or not being able to walk straight.

Go with the person. Never let someone with severe altitude sickness go down alone. You may be able to prevent altitude sickness by taking your time when you go to high altitudes, using medicine in advance, and eating certain foods. Experts do not know much about how altitude affects other diseases. Many people with allergic asthma do better at high altitudes. Still, if you have asthma and are going to high altitudes, continue to use your daily controller medicine and take your quick-relief medicine with you.

Talk with your doctor about altitude sickness if you have long-term diseases, especially heart problems, sickle cell anemia , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD , or sleep apnea. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: Anne C. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

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Top of the page. Topic Overview What is altitude sickness? Altitude sickness can also cause your brain to swell with fluid, which is sometimes known as high altitude cerebral oedema or HACE. People with HACE can feel confused and irritable and behave in an erratic way.

Altitude sickness can be worse at night and can last for days, even if you stay at the same altitude. Altitude sickness is caused by low oxygen levels in the air at altitudes above about 2, metres. It occurs when the body has not had time to adjust to less oxygen. If you have altitude sickness, you should stay at the same altitude or go lower until the symptoms disappear. Rest, fluids and painkillers are likely to improve the symptoms.

Do not continue to climb higher. It is best not to drink alcohol or take sedatives or sleeping pills because they interfere with the body's adaptation to high altitude. If you have signs of altitude sickness affecting your lungs or your brain, this is a medical emergency. You need help to descend as soon as possible. Breathing oxygen from a tank can help.

Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist. If you're planning to travel to a high altitude, consider talking to your doctor about drugs that can help with acclimatisation, particularly if you have had altitude sickness before. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is altitude sickness? What causes altitude sickness? What are the symptoms? The symptoms of altitude sickness include: A headache, which is usually throbbing.

It gets worse during the night and when you wake up. Not feeling like eating. Feeling sick to your stomach. You may vomit. Feeling weak and tired. In severe cases, you do not have the energy to eat, dress yourself, or do anything. Waking up during the night and not sleeping well. Feeling dizzy. How is altitude sickness diagnosed? How is it treated? Can you prevent altitude sickness?

If you are going to altitudes higher than m ft , try to spend a night at a medium altitude before going higher. For example, in Canada, spend a night in Banff before going to the Rocky Mountains. Do not fly into high-altitude cities. If this is not possible, avoid large meals, alcohol, and being very active after you arrive. Rest, and drink plenty of liquids. If you have symptoms, do not go higher until they have gone away. Sleep at an altitude that is lower than the altitude you were at during the day.

For example, if you ski at m ft during the day, sleep the night before and the night after at m ft. Studies show that starting to take ibuprofen 6 hours before climbing to high elevations and then taking it every 6 hours while climbing may help prevent altitude sickness. You may consider taking acetazolamide or possibly dexamethasone before going to a high altitude.

Eat a lot of carbohydrates. This includes breads, cereals, grains, and pasta.