Altitude Sickness: Symptoms, Treatment & Medication

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is commonly known as Altitude Sickness. Some people also call it Mountain sickness. It is a reaction to our body when we ascend mountains or go to higher places than the places our body is acclimatized to living in.

Our body adapts to the environment we live in. When we suddenly go to higher places than the places we live in, a group of sickness starts to show up. That condition is called Altitude Sickness.

Why does it happen?

When we go to higher places, barometric pressure ( the pressure of air that is around us) drops and we get less amount of oxygen. People living in higher places are already used to the environment around them and are used to breathing the air that is low in barometric pressure. But, the people who are living in low places are not used to the air pressure of high altitude places so when they travel to high altitude places, their body doesn’t get enough oxygen which results in sickness with certain symptoms. It happens to everyone. Even to those who are young and physically fit. Younger people stand a better chance of getting this sickness than older people.

Types Of Altitude Sickness

There are three types of Altitude Sickness

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

It is a common condition of the sickness because the symptoms in this stage are mild. Dizziness, headache, muscular pain, nausea are some of the symptoms a person can experience in this stage.

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema ( HAPE)

In this stage, fluid is buildup in the lungs. If not treated, it can be dangerous.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

This is the most complicated form of sickness because, in this stage, fluid is a buildup in the brain.

Symptoms

Here are the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness ( AMS)

Dizziness
Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Loss of Energy
Fatigue
Sleeping disorder
Shortness of breath

Here are the symptoms of High Altitude Pulmonary Edema ( HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).

Confusion
Difficulty in walking
Coughs that have white or pink froths
Coma

Treatments

The best way to treat Altitude Sickness is to walk down to lower elevations. If you cannot abandon your trek then you are advised to go for an acclimatization walk before going further up. When you have gone to elevations, you need to stay there for a few days to get acclimatized to its surrounding air. Going for a walk around the place without going further up helps your body adjusts to its air pressure.

If you need to hike or climb more than 10,000 feet, walk or hike only 1,000 feet per day and rest in that elevation for at least one day before setting forth again.

If you have severe sickness then you can opt for the following treatment methods

Stop and rest
Take paracetamol or Ibuprofen for headache
Stay hydrated
Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages
Do not exercise
Eat diets that have high calories

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