When ascending from the sea level to a higher altitude places, atmospheric pressure gradually decreases, and oxygen level decreases alongside. If a climber ascends rapidly, he/she can suffer from acute mountain sickness, otherwise known as altitude sickness. Climbing too fast will not allow climbers’ bodies to adapt to low oxygen levels and fluctuations in air pressure. Thus developing symptoms of altitude sickness. People living on plain ground and in lower regions are most likely to get sick in mountain regions. It is widespread at elevations of 8,000 feet or above.
Symptoms of altitude sickness
Age, gender, or physical fitness are irrelevant to the risk of altitude sickness. Also, just because a person hasn’t had it previously doesn’t imply he/she won’t have it on future trips. Acute mountain sickness can become an emergency medical condition if ignored. To avoid such conditions, the following symptoms are to be looked for:
- Mild, short-term altitude sickness: These symptoms commonly appear 12 to 24 hours after arriving at higher altitude places. Symptoms are:
- Fatigue and energy deficiency
- Feeling dizzy with a headache
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite
- Problems with sleep
These are not the symptoms to panic about, as the climber’s body starts to adjust to the environment, and symptoms lessen in a day or two.
- Moderate to severe altitude sickness: These symptoms do not lessen but can grow over time. These symptoms instead become severe. Symptoms are:
- Severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Worsening fatigue and weakness
- Tightness or congestion in the chest with a deteriorating breathing problem
- Problems with coordination and walking.
If these conditions are not checked properly, climbers can develop HAPE. It is a syndrome in which fluid accumulates in the lungs, preventing oxygen from flowing around the body. Symptoms are:
- Shortness in breathing even while resting
- Turning of skin, nails or white of eyes blue
- Confusion and irrational behaviour
- Coughing up a white or pink frothy material
Treatment of altitude sickness
Altitude sickness can be treated by fellow climbers only if it has not reached severe conditions.
Mild altitude sickness can be treated by dedicated medications for the symptoms and resting for a day or two until the symptoms fade away.
Moderate altitude sickness can be treated by descending the patient 1,000-2,000 feet lower from the current altitude. Doing so should improve the patient’s condition in a day. In 3-4 days, the patient should be completely better.
Severe altitude sickness/ HAPE should be treated urgently. The patient should be descended immediately to an altitude no more than 4,000 feet and rushed to health care. Hospitalization may be required.
If health care service is available, checking patients’ vitals regardless of their conditions will be better.
Prevention of altitude sickness
The prevention of altitude sickness is through acclimatization. Acclimatization refers to the advantageous physiological changes due to frequent exposure to a diverse environment. This means that slowly ascending the elevation can give the climber’s body time to adapt to the change in atmospheric pressure and low oxygen level. Some ways to achieve acclimatization are:
- Slowly ascending towards a higher altitude.
- Starting the climb below 10,000 feet. (i.e. climbers should not drive or fly above 10,000 to start climbing )
- Tobacco, alcohol, and drugs such as sleeping pills should be avoided, especially during the first 48 hours. Caffeine is safe if you regularly consume it.
- Drink 3-4 quarts of water every day, and ensure that carbohydrates account for 70% of your calories.
