Altitude Sickness

Introduction

Source: NHS

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Altitude sickness is a common condition that can occur when you climb to a high altitude too quickly.

The decrease in atmospheric pressure makes breathing difficult because you aren't able to take in as much oxygen. Most cases are mild, with symptoms that can include:

Inrare cases, altitude sickness can cause fluid to build up either on the lungs or the brain. These are very serious conditions and require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of severe altitude sickness can include:

  • a bubbling sound in the chest
  • worsening breathlessness
  • coughing up pink, frothy liquid
  • clumsiness and difficulty walking
  • confusion leading to loss of consciousness

You can continue to climb if your symptoms improve after this.

If your symptoms get worse or don't improve after 24 to 48 hours, you shoulddescend by at least 500m.

Severe altitude sickness is a medical emergency. Someone with severe symptoms should immediately descend to a low altitude and seek medical help.

It usually takes a few days for the body to get used to a change in altitude.

Ascending slowly will give your body time to adapt to the change in altitude. For example, once you're above 3,000m (10,000 feet) try not to increase the altitude at which you sleep by more than 300-500m a night. Keeping hydrated is also important,but make sure you avoid alcohol.

However, the more severe symptoms of altitude sickness tend to occur at altitudes of 3,600m (about 12,000 feet) and above.

It's not possible to get altitude sickness in the UK because the highest mountain, Ben Nevis in Scotland, is only 1,344m (4,406 feet) high.

There are no specific factors, such as age, sex or physical fitness, that increase a person's likelihood of getting altitude sickness. Certain people are affected, while others are less susceptible to it. Just because you haven't had it before doesn't mean you won't develop it on another trip.

Articles for Altitude Sickness

Complications of altitude sickness

Altitude sickness can cause potentially life-threatening conditions that affect the brain or lungs.If HACE isn't treated immediately, it's likely it will be fatal. Immediate descent to a lower altitude is necessary to prevent this.

Introduction

Altitude sickness is a common condition that can occur when you climb to a high altitude too quickly. Just because you haven't had it before doesn't mean you won't develop it on another trip.

Patient story: "'We were at high altitudes for four days and I was ill the entire time."

Jessica Mathur, a GP from London, was surprised when she became ill with altitude sickness during a holiday in Peru. I found it difficult to believe that I had altitude sickness. I just didn't expect it would happen to me.

Patient story: "Being careful to acclimatise properly did take extra time, but I was very glad I did."

After years of mountain climbing, David Hillebrandt learnt how to deal with his altitude sickness. "It's still as bad as it was 30 years ago. The only difference is that now I know how to deal with it."

Preventing altitude sickness

Proper acclimatisation to altitudes of 2,500m (just over 8,200 feet) or above is the best way to prevent altitude sickness. Ascending slowly will give your body time to adapt to the change in altitude.

Symptoms of altitude sickness

Symptoms of altitude sickness usually develop between 6 and 24 hours after ascending to high altitude and can be similar to a bad hangover.

Treating altitude sickness

Altitude sickness can be treated by descending to a lower altitude, oxygen treatment, and different types of medication. If you have symptoms of mild altitude sickness, you shouldn't go any higher for at least 24 to 48 hours.