Altitude Sickness

Signs and symptoms 

Headaches are a primary symptom used to diagnose altitude sickness, although a headache is also a symptom of dehydration. 

A headache occurring at an altitude above 2,400 meters (8000 feet = 76 kPa), combined with any one or more of the following symptoms, can indicate altitude sickness: 

Lack of appetite, nausea, or vomiting 

Fatigue or weakness 

Dizziness or light-headedness 

Insomnia 

Pins and needles 

Shortness of breath upon exertion 

Persistent rapid pulse 

Drowsiness 

General malaise 

Peripheral edema (swelling of hands, feet, and face). 

Symptoms that may indicate life-threatening altitude sickness include: 

pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs): persistent dry cough fever shortness of breath even when resting cerebral edema (swelling of the brain): headache that does not respond to analgesics unsteady gait increased vomiting gradual loss of consciousness. 

Prevention As alcohol tends to dehydrate, avoidance in the first 24 hours at a higher altitude is optimal. Altitude acclimatization Altitude acclimatization is the process of adjusting to decreasing oxygen levels at higher elevations, in order to avoid altitude sickness. Other methods Drinking plenty of water will also help in acclimatisation to replace the fluids lost through heavier breathing in the thin, dry air found at altitude, although consuming excessive quantities ("over-hydration") has no benefits and may lead to hyponatremia. 

Treatment The only reliable treatment and in many cases the only option available is to descend. Attempts to treat or stabilise the patient in situ at altitude is dangerous unless highly controlled and with good medical facilities. 

How to prevent high altitude sickness? 

1. Avoid catching a cold, for it is difficult to recover from a cold on high altitude. 

2. In addition to the normal medications for traveling, like the Aspirin and Ibuprofen etc, it is advisable to bring high altitude medication. Some visitors take Diamox pills once a day. 

3. Upon your arrival, just take a good rest, drink more water, and don't take a shower on the 1st day, usually you will be fine. for it is easy to catch cold and make you feel exhausted. It is better to spend the first two or three days at ease to get accustomed to the high altitude. Headaches, vomiting and heart palpitation are common ailments that appear in the first two or three days. 

4. And whenever you feel shortage of breath, just drink more water, the dry air and evaporation of sweat may cause dehydration. Avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration, and don't smoke to prevent upper respiratory infection. 

5. Remember to take things a little slowly when climbing stairs etc.