Can i prevent altitude sickness

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 ft m , try to spend a night at a medium altitude before going higher. 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 ft m during the day, sleep the night before and the night after at ft m.

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 Diamox or possibly dexamethasone before going to a high altitude.

Eat a lot of carbohydrates. This includes breads, cereals, grains, and pasta. What if you have a lung problem or other disease? References Citations Lipman GS, et al. Ibuprofen prevents altitude illness: A randomized controlled trial for prevention of altitude illness with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.

Annals of Emergency Medicine , 59 6 : — Pandit A, et al. Accessed May 21, Murdoch D Altitude sickness, search date October High-altitude medicine and physiology. In PS Auerbach, ed. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier. Luks AM, et al. Altitude sickness. You can get altitude sickness if you travel to a high altitude too quickly. Breathing becomes difficult because you're not able to take in as much oxygen. Your age, sex or physical fitness do not affect your likelihood of getting altitude sickness.

Symptoms of altitude sickness Symptoms of altitude sickness usually develop between 6 and 24 hours after reaching altitudes more than 2,m above sea level. Symptoms are similar to those of a bad hangover and include: headache feeling and being sick dizziness tiredness loss of appetite shortness of breath The symptoms are usually worse at night.

Preventing altitude sickness The best way to prevent getting altitude sickness is to travel to altitudes above 2,m slowly. It usually takes a few days for your body to get used to a change in altitude. You should also: avoid flying directly to areas of high altitude, if possible take 2 to 3 days to get used to high altitudes before going above 2,m avoid climbing more than m to m a day have a rest day every m to m you go up, or rest every 3 to 4 days make sure you're drinking enough water avoid smoking and alcohol avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours eat a light but high-calorie diet Medicines Consider travelling with these medicines for altitude sickness: acetazolamide to prevent and treat high-altitude sickness ibuprofen and paracetamol for headaches anti-sickness medicine, such as promethazine , for nausea In the UK, acetazolamide is not licensed to treat altitude sickness.

Promethazine is available from pharmacies. You do not need a prescription to buy it. Treating altitude sickness If you think you have altitude sickness: stop and rest where you are do not go any higher for at least 24 to 48 hours if you have a headache, take ibuprofen or paracetamol if you feel sick, take an anti-sickness medicine, such as promethazine make sure you're drinking enough water do not smoke, drink alcohol, or exercise Acetazolamide can be used to reduce the severity of your symptoms, but it will not completely get rid of them.

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. In severe cases, fluid can build up within the lungs, brain or both, which can be fatal. First aid options include descending immediately, medications and the use of oxygen administered from a portable container.

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy? More information here. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. Watch for a persistent headache and change in mental status such as drowsiness or decreased coordination, said Corboy.

The medication works by regulating the carbon dioxide in a person's blood, increasing ventilation. Travelers to high altitudes, both new and experienced travelers with history of altitude sickness, can take this to prevent symptoms from occurring. People with asthma or other lung problems might be at a higher risk of developing high altitude pulmonary edema, Corboy said.

Young people, she added, are at a higher risk for developing high altitude cerebral edema because their brains are a larger size.

When traveling or hiking above 10, feet, avoid increasing your sleeping elevations more than 1, feet per day, Corboy said.