Sometimes called “mountain sickness,” an altitude sickness is a group of symptoms that can strike if you walk or climb to a higher elevation, or altitude, too quickly. Travellers’ Clinic is aware of such a mishap and is very prepared to deal with the situation very well. Firstly, our itinerary is well-paced and is designed to provide the well-needed rest on other hand, we have pro guides who are always curious about your well-being during trips.

What Causes Altitude Sickness?

The pressure of the air that surrounds you is called barometric or atmospheric pressure. When we move to higher altitudes, this pressure drops and there is less oxygen available. If you live in a place that’s located at a moderately high altitude, you get used to the air pressure. But if you travel to a place at a higher altitude than you’re used to, your body will need time to adjust to the change in pressure. Any time we move above 2500m or 8,000 feet, you can be at risk for altitude sickness.

What Are the Types of Mountain Sickness?

There are three levels of altitude sickness:
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the mildest form, and it’s very common. The symptoms can feel like a hangover –dizziness, headaches, muscle aches, and nausea.
High-altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is a buildup of fluid in the lungs that can be very dangerous and even life-threatening. This is the most common cause of death from altitude sickness.
High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is the most severe form of altitude sickness and happens when there’s fluid in the brain. It, too, is life-threatening, and you need to seek medical attention right away.

What Are Altitude Sickness Symptoms?
You might have:
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue and loss of energy
• Shortness of breath
• Problems with sleep
• Loss of appetite
Symptoms usually come on within 12 to 24 hours of reaching a higher elevation and then get better within a day or two as your body adjusts to the change in altitude. If you have a more moderate case of altitude sickness, your symptoms might feel more intense and not improve with over-the-counter medications. Instead of feeling better as time goes on, you’ll start to feel worse. You’ll have more shortness of breath and fatigue. You may also have

• Loss of coordination and trouble walking
• A severe headache that doesn’t get better with medication
• A tightening in your chest
If you develop a severe form of altitude sicknesses like HAPE or HACE, you might have:
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath even at rest
• Inability to walk
• A cough that produces a white or pink frothy substance
Anyone can develop altitude sickness, no matter how fit, young, or healthy they are. Being physically active at a high elevation makes you more likely to get it. Your chance of getting altitude sickness depends on a few other things: how quickly you move to a higher elevation, how high you move up, the altitude where you sleep, and other factors. Your risk also depends on where you live and the altitude there, your age (young people are more likely to get it), and whether you’ve had altitude sickness before or not too.

How is Mountain Sickness Treated?

If you get a headache and at least one other symptom linked to altitude sickness within a day or two of changing your elevation, you might have altitude sickness. For mild symptoms, we can try staying at your current altitude to see if your body adjusts. Rest, keep warm, and have plenty of liquids. And not go any higher until your symptoms are completely gone.
If your symptoms are severe, or if mild symptoms don’t go away in a couple of days or get worse, we get to a lower elevation as quickly as possible. Don’t exert yourself. We look for medical help. To treat HACE, you might need a steroid called dexamethasone, Diamox, and others. If you have HAPE, you will need supplemental oxygen and may need medications, as well as moving to a lower altitude.

How Can Altitude Sickness Be Prevented?

The best way you can lower your chance of getting altitude sickness is through acclimatization. That means you let your body slowly get used to the changes in air pressure as you travel to higher elevations. You’ll want to climb to higher altitudes gradually. Going slowly helps your lungs get more air through deeper breaths and allows more of your red blood cells to carry oxygen to different parts of your body.