Altitude Sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness AMS) can happen when people reach high altitudes very quickly and the body struggles to readjust to the changes in the air. Symptoms of altitude sickness can be unpleasant, with individuals experiencing dizziness, nausea, headaches and fatigue. If this condition isn't treated quickly there could be more serious repercussions with a risk of developing High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE) or High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE), both can be fatal.
Prevention and Initial Steps
The best approach is to prevent altitude sickness in the first place. If it hasn't been avoided and AMS has been diagnosed, it's vital that quick treatment is administered. Here are some ways to prevent altitude sickness:
- When climbing heights with risky air changes, a gradual and slow ascent is crucial. This gives the person's body a chance to acclimatise and get used to the altitude. When at over 2500 metres high, a limit of 300-500 metres climbed each day should be adhered to.
- Keeping hydrated with clean water is essential and can limit the onset of symptoms occurring.
- Not over exerting yourself, especially at the beginning of the climb, is key. Be sure to get plenty of rest and a good amount of sleep to acclimatise well.
- Don't drink alcohol when going up to high altitudes as this can dehydrate the body and make altitude sickness worse.
Emergency Treatment
If a person has severe altitude sickness symptoms or gets High Altitude Cerebral Oedema or High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema as a result, it is vital that emergency treatment is administered quickly.
- The best course of action in these cases is to descend to lower altitudes quickly.
- Administering oxygen can help to improve the patient's symptoms and ensure they have healthy oxygen levels.
- In an emergency scenario, the patient can get into a portable hyperbaric chamber which creates the effect of a lower altitude to improve symptoms.
Medications
There are some really useful medications available that aid with altitude sickness symptoms and prevention:
- A popular treatment is Acetazolamide (Diamox) which can be used for both prevention and clearing altitude sickness. It works by increasing an individual's breathing rate so more oxygen reaches the patient's body.
- To alleviate headaches and other uncomfortable symptoms, Ibuprofen and Paracetamol are good options for treatment.
- Promethazine is an altitude sickness treatment that helps with nausea.
Long-Term Prevention
When planning a high altitude trip, schedule your itinerary to include a slow ascent, which can help to keep you safe.
- Treatments can be prescribed by us, such as Acetazolamide, if you've experienced altitude sickness in the past.
- If any symptoms of altitude sickness occur, take action swiftly so they don't get worse.
With careful planning, a good understanding and the right treatments in place it is possible not to experience altitude sickness and to feel better quickly if it does develop. Get in touch with us to find out more about what we can prescribe in advance of your adventure.