What is Altitude Sickness

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As the name implies, altitude sickness is a condition felt by people when they are exposed abruptly to altitudes of 8,000 feet or more.  Once you reach high levels of altitude, you will experience thinning of the air supply or oxygen.   This in turn, can cause some adverse effects on your brain and lungs.  Around 20% of Americans experience altitude sickness.  Studies are still inconclusive on who will likely get altitude sickness.  Factors such as age, gender, level of physical fitness does not seem to affect the probability of a person to experience it.  Signs and Symptoms of Altitude Sickness There are several signs and symptoms that you have to watch out for, especially when it comes to children.  As children cannot fully understand or even describe what they are feeling, it is important that you always look at your children closely when you travel to high altitudes. Headache: the very first manifestation of altitude sickness once you reach 8,000 feet above sea level. Fatigue: this is due to lack of oxygen, which is needed for metabolism and production of energy. Dizziness Insomnia Drowsiness Anorexia Nausea and vomiting Paresthesia or feeling of needles and pins due to circulatory compression Peripheral edema, also because of circulatory compression (accumulation of fluid in the hands, feet, arms    and  legs. Difficulty of breathing Palpitation or rapid pulse Altitude sickness can progress to other life-threatening conditions such as pulmonary edema and cerebral edema.  These conditions result because of accumulation of fluid in the lungs and brain respectively.  Signs and symptoms of high altitude pulmonary edema     Dry, persistent cough Shortness of breath Fever Orthopnea or difficulty of breathing while lying down Coughing up of pink, frothy sputum which indicates fluid in the lungs.  The pinkish tinge is a result of blood stain that comes from destroyed lung tissue. Cyanosis or bluish lips and fingernail beds Crackles and rales during breathing Signs and symptoms of high altitude cerebral edema Headache that does not abate even with the use of pain relievers Ataxia or unsteady gait Projectile vomiting Altered level of consciousness Treatment     The only way to treat altitude sickness is by rapid descent.  You can also take some medications to address the signs and symptoms but most medications are administered with extreme caution and with medical supervision.  If you feel that you are having altitude sickness, it is best that you go to lower altitudes to prevent onset of other complications.  Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help resolve your headache.  Prevention One way to prevent altitude sickness is desensitization or acclimatization.  You have to climb up to a certain altitude until you start feeling the air to become thin.  It is advised by expert climbers that you establish sleeping quarters lower than the highest point that you were able to climb.  You may have to sleep in that area for a few days before you continue to go back up, always maintaining a lower base camp.  It is recommended that you go up by 300 feet daily as you ascend to the highest peak. Acetazolamide (Diamox) is a drug that will help you acclimatize to higher altitudes.  IT is taken 24 hours before you start climbing, and continued for 5 days to help you breathe easier.  Caution is advised when taking this drug for it can cause some allergic reactions, especially to those who are allergic to sulfa-based drugs. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that effectively decreases brain edema, and effectively prevents most symptoms of altitude sickness.  It is taken twice a day for a prescribed duration once you start to climb.  It is important to remember to taper the dose by gradually decreasing the amount you take daily before you stop to prevent any rebound complications because of sudden drop of steroid levels in the body. Always make sure that you have a diet high in carbohydrates before you start climbing.  Pasta is the best source of complex carbohydrates that can give you enough energy and keep you on your feet while you climb. If you cannot desensitize altitude sickness, it is advised that you refrain from going to high altitude places like the Mountain Rockies, Peru, and Naples.  If you are to go to those places, never fly to that area directly, rather drive up and take some breaks during the travel to help lessen the onset of altitude sickness.  If you are pregnant, it is also advised that you travel to high altitude places because studies are still inconclusive as to the effect of altitude sickness on pregnant women and the baby.
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