Altitude sickness: How to prevent, recognise and treat
Altitude sickness is an issue faced by many adventurous travellers and it’s not just those trekking to Everest base camp or climbing mountains or any other trekking peaks in Nepal, as you might expect. Altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), can be encountered by anyone reaching heights of 2,500m and above. It is therefore important that all travellers are aware of altitude sickness and the potential consequences of not recognizing and treating symptoms before they develop into anything more serious. While most cases are mild and perfectly manageable, some cases (especially those above 3,500m) can develop into potentially life-threatening conditions, so it is vital to recognise the symptoms and treat them promptly.
Symptoms of mild altitude sickness:
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Decreased energy levels
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
Symptoms, severe altitude sickness:
- Worsening of mild symptoms
- Confusion and irrational behaviour
- Uncontrollable coughing
- Blurred vision
- Hallucinations
- Coughing up fluid
- Convulsions
Strangely, there is no way to predict who might develop altitude sickness. Therefore; There is no correlation between the level of fitness and the chance of developing altitude sickness – even the fittest and healthiest of individuals may suffer. And don’t be fooled into a false sense of security – just because you have not developed altitude sickness before, doesn’t mean you won’t in the future.
Prevention:
- There are a number of things you can do to reduce your chances of developing altitude sickness such as:
- Ascending slowly and taking time to acclimatize is vital. It is recommended to ascend no more than 300m to 500m a day, particularly when above 3,000m
- Keep yourself well hydrated with water and avoid alcohol
- Make sure you keep your energy levels up by eating a high-calorie diet
- Medication (see below)
Medicine:
There are numerous medications available, including herbal remedies, that are aimed at preventing altitude sickness or reducing symptoms. Only one of these medications, acetazolamide (commonly known as Diamox), has been proven to be safe and effective. This is prescription-only medication so you’ll need to visit a travel clinic prior to your trip to obtain it.
Altitude sickness causes chemical changes in the blood and acetazolamide works by balancing these chemical changes, which in turn reduces symptoms. Unfortunately, as with every medication, acetazolamide has side effects. One of the most common side effects is the increased need to urinate, which can be frustrating while trekking. Like; it is also common to experience tingling sensations in the hands and feet. Tingling sensations can also be a sign of frostbite, so keep your hands and feet wrapped up warmer if trekking in colder climates and check them regularly if you are experiencing this. More information: Health and Medicine
Treatment:
Mild altitude sickness can be managed by treating the symptoms. Basic painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help alleviate headaches, while promethazine can help reduce nausea and vomiting. Acetazolamide can also be used to treat altitude sickness if it is not already being taken as a preventative method. Consult your pharmacy to discuss doses for both prevention and treatment.
If you have developed mild altitude sickness you should not progress to a higher altitude until your symptoms have been adequately managed. If you find your symptoms are getting progressively worse and not improving with treatment, descend immediately and seek medical attention before the condition becomes more serious.
- The symptoms are breathlessness even when you are resting, high temperature and coughing up frothy spit.
- Symptoms are confusion and stumbling and uncharacteristic behaviour such as laziness, excessive emotion or violence.
Oxygen can buy time and acetazolamide should be given if available but immediate descent is essential.
To Finish:
So to summarise, the advice is simple: use preventative medication, ascend slowly, rehydrate and treat symptoms as soon as they occur. If you feel you’re getting worse, it’s time to accept defeat and descend.
