What is Altitude Sickness?

A health article about Altitude Sickness from Your Health Online the A to Z directory of dealing with Health Problems & nutritional Self Care Strategies

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

Some of the common 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.

Ø  Headache: the very first manifestation of altitude sickness once you reach 8,000 feet above sea level.

Ø  Fatigue: this is due to lack of oxygen, which is needed for metabolism and production of energy.

Ø  Dizziness

Ø  Insomnia

Ø  Drowsiness

Ø  Anorexia

Ø  Nausea and vomiting

Ø  Paresthesia or feeling of needles and pins due to circulatory compression

Ø  Peripheral edema, also because of circulatory compression (accumulation of fluid in the hands, feet, arms and legs.

Ø  Difficulty of breathing

Ø  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. 

Ø  Signs and symptoms of high altitude pulmonary edema

o   Dry, persistent cough

o   Shortness of breath

o   Fever

o   Orthopnea or difficulty of breathing while lying down

o   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.

o   Cyanosis or bluish lips and fingernail beds

o   Crackles and rales during breathing

Ø  Signs and symptoms of high altitude cerebral edema

o   Headache that does not abate even with the use of pain relievers

o   Ataxia or unsteady gait

o   Projectile vomiting

o   Altered level of consciousness

Types of Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness progresses through three primary stages as the body struggles to adjust to lower oxygen and air pressure.

These range from mild, hangover-like symptoms to life-threatening conditions affecting the lungs and brain, which demand immediate descent and emergency medical attention. 

1. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

This is the mildest and most common stage, often occurring within 8 to 36 hours of ascending above 8,000 feet. It feels similar to a severe hangover. 

• Common Symptoms: Throbbing headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and shortness of breath during physical exertion.
• Action: Stop climbing, rest, and hydrate. The body usually acclimates within 1–2 days.  

2. High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

This is a severe and life-threatening form of altitude sickness where fluid leaks from the blood vessels into the lungs. It often develops after more than a day spent at high altitude. 

• Common Symptoms: Extreme shortness of breath (even while resting), chest tightness, dry cough, rapid heart rate, and fatigue. It can escalate to coughing up pink, frothy fluid.
• Action: Descend immediately by 500–1,000 meters and seek emergency medical care.  

3. High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

This is the most severe and advanced stage of altitude sickness. It happens when the brain swells with fluid and can lead to a coma or death if left untreated. 

• Common Symptoms: Worsening headache, vomiting, confusion, extreme lethargy, and ataxia (a loss of coordination causing a staggering gait or difficulty walking in a straight line).
• Action: Administer emergency oxygen, use a portable hyperbaric bag (if available), and initiate immediate descent to a lower elevation. 

What Causes Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is caused by ascending to high elevations too quickly, giving your body inadequate time to adjust to lower oxygen levels and air pressure.

Symptoms often start 6–12 hours after ascent and include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.

Prevention and treatment require ascending slowly, staying hydrated, and potentially descending if symptoms worsen.

Risk Factors: Who are prone to Altitude Sickness?

If you are planning to ascend to high elevations, adapting effectively can dramatically reduce your risk:  

• Ascend Gradually: Avoid going directly from sea level to very high altitudes. Once you pass 2,500 m, increase your sleeping altitude by no more than 300 m to 500 m per day.  

• Hydrate and Rest: Drink plenty of fluids and take regular rest days. 

• Avoid Triggers: Limit your intake of alcohol, sedatives, and heavy physical exertion during the first few days. 

• Medication: For quick ascents, medications like acetazolamide (Diamox) can be prescribed by your doctor to prevent or lessen the symptoms of AMS. Ensure you check for contraindications before use.  

Prevention of Altitude Sickness

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.

When To Seek Medical Attention For Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness typically begins at elevations above 2,500 m (8,000 feet) and ranges from mild to life-threatening 

• Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): The most common and mildest form. Symptoms feel similar to a severe hangover and include headaches, loss of appetite, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.  
• High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): Occurs when fluid builds up in the lungs. It causes severe shortness of breath, a persistent cough, and a rapid heart rate. HAPE is a medical emergency that requires immediate oxygen and descent.  
• High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): A severe, life-threatening form where fluid accumulates in the brain. Symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, and irrational behavior. HACE requires immediate emergency evacuation and medical care.  

Treatment/Therapy:

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. 

Vitamin & Nutrient Associations

Even when we try to eat well, we're disadvantaged. The nutritional content of most food has been compromised over the years, not only by deficient soils and modern production, transportation, storage and processing methods, but also by the enormous amounts of chemical and artificial substances added to promote growth, storage life, taste and appearance.

It's for this reason that more and more medical authorities are advocating the use of vitamin and mineral supplements. However, finding them in the right combination can be both confusing and costly.

The nutrition products I am going to recommend you make use of knowledge gained from the botanical world's 6,000 year history. They incorporated health building nutritional herbs with the best modern technology to help our bodies cleanse and detoxify so that the cells - the tiniest living units - can be as fully nourished as possible.

This allows the cells to grow, repair and to perform their functions with the best possible efficiency so that we feel and look better and are more able to prevent and fight disease. Once the body begins to clear itself of toxins it can more efficiently absorb nutrition.

Further reading through our articles on health issues will give you a body of information that will help you decide what options you have to deal with the underlying causes of your problem through giving your body the nutrition products that will assist you body to heal from the inside out.

You can visit our health food products page here: Herbalife Health Nutrition Supplements and learn more about our core nutrition program, the Cellular Nutrition Advanced Program and also check out these targeted products, Florafiber to replace your healthy flora and Aloe Vera Juice to help cleanse your system.

Also using NouriFusion Skin Essentials will clearly help provide you with excellent skincare support for your ‘outer nutrition’.

We wish you well in your search for solutions to this problem and your movement towards better health in all areas.

More Resources available about altitude sickness

Below here are examples of Health Success Results other people have had with using a self care strategy for dealing with this condition:

We would be very interested to hear your result stories with your problem if you are using some of our nutrition products. To send us your story just fill out the form below.

*** GENERAL RELEASE AND ASSIGNMENT

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, I ("I", "me", "my") hereby agree as follows:

1) I hereby grant to Warren Tattersall, his successors, assignees and licensees the unlimited right, but not the obligation, to use any statements made by or attributed to me (my "Statements") as well as my name, voice, and likeness, performance, personal characteristics and other identifying information (jointly and severally with the Statements and the photographs referenced in Paragraph 2 below, my "Personal Characteristics") in and in connection with the advertising, promotion, marketing and other exploitation of Herbalife products or Warren Tattersall’s services in any and all languages and media, now known or hereafter devised, throughout the universe in perpetuity.

2) If I supply Warren Tattersall with photographs of myself on this date or any date subsequent, I agree that Warren Tattersall may use such photographs to the full extent provided above, I warrant and represent that I am the person depicted in the photograph, I am the owner of the photograph, I have the authority to grant the permission and rights granted herein, and no one else’s permission is required to grant such rights, and I understand that the copy of the photograph(s) I supply to Warren Tattersall will not be returned.

3) I understand that Warren Tattersall is not obligated to use my Personal Characteristics as permitted herein or, if commenced, to continue with such use in any territory. I acknowledge and agree that Warren Tattersall may make my Personal Characteristics available to Warren Tattersall’s independent distributors to use as permitted above.

4) In undertaking the act of submitting my words and images through www.TheHealthSuccessSite.com I understand that I am agreeing the terms and conditions of this agreement

I have read this entire General Release and Assignment and fully understand his contents. I likewise understand that this document shall remain in full force and effect unless/until I request that it be terminated, and that any such request must be made in a signed writing. By signing below, I hereby acknowledge and agree to the foregoing.

I understand that in submitting my material for publication I am granting the rights to reproduce this material on the internet or in other form and I have read the conditions above

BACK TO “Your Health Online”
the A to Z directory of dealing with Health Problems & Self Care Strategies for natural remedies to your health issues.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Site Map

ShareFacebookXPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsApp

====================================================
SITE DISCLAIMER: Do these products “cure” anything? Of course not… but it stands to reason that if you cleanse your body and feed it the finest nutrition available, giving it everything it needs in balance, on a daily basis, that your body will do what nature intended, and give you the best possible chance to fend off sickness and disease.

This Altitude Sickness information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The Altitude Sickness content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any Altitude Sickness questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

The Altitude Sickness resources on this site are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. While all attempts have been made to verify Altitude Sickness information provided in this publication, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the web site Altitude Sickness subject matter herein.

The site Altitude Sickness contents are solely the opinion of the authors and should not be considered as a form of advice, direction and/or recommendation of any kind. If expert advice or counseling is needed, services of a competent professional should be sought. The author and the Publisher assume no responsibility or liability and specifically disclaim any warranty, express or implied for any Altitude Sickness products or services mentioned, or any techniques or  Altitude Sickness practices described.

The purchaser or reader of this Altitude Sickness publication assumes responsibility for the use of these materials and information. Neither the author nor the Publisher assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever on the behalf of any purchaser or reader of these KEYWORD nutritional supplements materials. There is no guarantee of validity of accuracy. Any perceived slight of specific people or organizations is unintentional.

This website and its creators are not responsible for the content of any sites linked to. Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
====================================================