Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness, acute mountain sickness (AMS) or altitude illness is a condition caused due to an inability to adapt to high altitudes above 2,500 meters or 8,000 feet. If left untreated, it can also cause death. Another kind of altitude sickness caused by long hours of exposure to high altitude is chronic mountain sickness or Monge’s disease. You could suffer from AMS either while traveling by plane, or while hiking or trekking, skiing or rock climbing. But the moment you get acclimatized, you will be fine again.
Causes: AMS sets in when you go too high too soon. It is caused when the body responds to a reduced quantum of oxygen supply to the muscles and brain, forcing the heart and lungs to work harder, and leading to harder breathing and elevated pulse rates. To supply enough blood to the heart, red blood cells carrying oxygen around the body, are produced in greater numbers.
But since the body cannot cope with the low oxygen present at high altitudes, a number of changes to blood acidity, lung pressure, fluid, salt balance and electrolytes come about. If you go above 3500m (11000 ft), you could be the victim of either of two potentially life-threatening complications-fluid accumulation in the lungs or in the brain.
Symptoms: The chief symptoms AMS give are headaches if above 8000 feet (2,400 meters), loss of appetite, dizziness, nausea, difficulty sleeping, fatigue. If you suffer from high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), you will experience shortness of breath at rest, cough, weakness, elevated respiratory rate and headache. If you suffer from high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), you will have difficulty walking due to imbalance, have a severe headache, vomit, be mentally confused, have seizures and slip into a coma.
Diagnosis: AMS is diagnosed based on the headache, and a couple of more symptoms such as light-headedness, difficulty sleeping weakness, and an upset stomach. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, go down to a lower altitude till your symptoms recede.
Remedies: In case of AMS, stop climbing and rest till your symptoms go away or till you improve with extra oxygen. To minimize fluid retention, take the diuretic Acetazolamide and acetaminophen (or Tylenol) or aspirin for relief from headaches.
If you suffer from HAPE, rest, use extra oxygen, and go down the hills immediately. In severe cases, take nifedipine (Procardia) as a "rescue agent." For cases of HACE, a take extra oxygen and go down to a lower altitude and use dexamethasone (Dexone) to reduce the swelling in the brain and use a Gamow bag.
If your symptoms are mild, remain at a lower altitude and allow your body to adjust to this height by exercising, drinking a lot of fluids and not smoking. Rest is essential. If you go down to an altitude of 300 m (1,000 ft) you will find an improvement in your health within 24 hours. Within three days, your symptoms will disappear completely.
Also, eat a diet rich in carbohydrates will make you feel better since they need less oxygen to metabolize than fats. Don’t ignore the signs of AMS as those who have, have often died of neglecting the symptoms.
When you’re climbing mountains, take adequate care of yourself.