Altitude Illness This information is intended to be educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. You should consult your physician regarding any specific medical conditions or questions and before taking any medications!
Altitude illness (also known as Acute Mountain Sickness, AMS) is caused by the lack of oxygen in the thin mountain air and it can effect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition in altitudes above 1.500m (5.000ft). High altitude is considered to be between 1.500-3.500m (5.000-11.500ft), very high altitude between 3.500-5.500m (11.500-18.000ft), and extreme altitude above 5.500m (18.000ft). When ascending through the atmosphere, barometric pressure decreases (though the air still contains 21% oxygen) and every breath contains fewer and fewer molecules of oxygen. Body must work harder to obtain oxygen, primarily by breathing faster. As the amount of oxygen in the lungs decreases, the blood becomes less and less efficient at acquiring and transporting oxygen, meaning that no matter how fast you breath, attaining normal blood levels of oxygen is not possible at high altitude. The major cause of altitude illnesses is going too high too fast! Given time, your body can adapt to the decrease in oxygen molecules at a specific altitude. This process is known as acclimatization and generally takes 1-3 days at that altitude. A headache, with any one or more of the following symptoms above 2.500m (8.000ft) qualifies you for the diagnosis of AMS: Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting; Fatigue or weakness; Dizziness or light-headedness; Difficulty sleeping; Confusion; Staggering gait. Altitude illnesses can be prevented by: a) proper acclimatization: The key to avoiding AMS is a rational ascent that gives your body time to acclimatize. People acclimatize at different rates, and in general, the following is recommended to avoid AMS: At altitudes above 3.000m (10.000ft), your sleeping elevation should not increase more than 300m (1.000ft) per night, and every 1.000m (3.000ft) you should spend a second night at the same elevation. »Climb High and Sleep Low!« If you begin to show symptoms of AMS »Don't go up until symptoms go down!« If symptoms increase, go down, down, down!!! Stay properly hydrated (drink at least three liters per day); monitor urine output, which should be copious and clear. Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs including barbiturates, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills. Take it easy; don't over-exert yourself when you first get up to altitude. b) preventive medications –Diamox: (Acetazolamide) is a prescription drug which allows you to breathe faster in order to metabolize more oxygen, thereby minimizing the symptoms caused by poor oxygenation. Since it takes a while for Diamox to have an effect, it is advisable to start taking it 24 hours before you go to altitude (125mg twice a day; morning and night) and continue for at least five days at higher altitude. Possible side effects include tingling of the lips and finger tips, blurring of vision, and alteration of taste. As Diamox is a sulfonamide drug, people who are allergic to sulfa drugs should not take it! Diamox has also been known to cause severe allergic reactions to people with no previous history of Diamox or sulfa allergies. A trial course of the drug before going to a remote location where a severe allergic reaction could prove difficult to treat is highly recommended! |