Do you love climbing mountains? Let's learn exactly about altitude sickness!

Have you ever suddenly felt a headache, a feeling of weakness, or a feeling of vomiting when you suddenly go to a high place like Nuwara Eliya, Haggala, or Horton Plains? You might have thought that it was because of the cold and the fatigue of the journey. But in reality, the cause of it could be the condition we are talking about today called 'Altitude Sickness'. Although many people are not aware of this, it is something we should be careful about when going to high places. So, let's talk about everything simply and clearly today.

Simply put, what is Altitude Sickness?

Think about it, we usually live near sea level. The atmosphere here has a lot of oxygen. But as we go up a mountain, or to a very high altitude, the atmosphere becomes thinner. That means that even though we take the same amount of breath, our bodies get less oxygen.

Altitude sickness is a condition that occurs when our bodies are unable to adjust to the low oxygen levels when we suddenly ascend to a higher altitude. It takes a while for our bodies to adjust to this change. This problem only occurs if we ascend too quickly without giving it that time.

What are the main types of Altitude Sickness?

This condition is not all the same. It can be divided into three main types depending on its severity. It is very important to know this, because some cases require emergency treatment.

How common is this condition?

This is actually more common than you might think. It is especially common in people who are not acclimated to high altitudes. It is less common below 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) above sea level. However, anyone who suddenly ascends to an altitude of 11,000 feet (3,352 meters) can develop AMS to some degree.

What are the symptoms of this?

Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the condition. Typically, AMS symptoms begin to appear within the first day of altitude sickness. Symptoms of more severe conditions, such as HAPE or HACE, can take two to five days to appear.

What are the risk factors that contribute to this condition?

The main cause of altitude sickness is going to a high altitude too quickly without giving your body time to adjust. Apart from that, there are several other risk factors.

• Height of the climb: The higher the height of the climb, the higher the risk of developing this condition.
• The rate of ascent: This is the most important thing. Imagine that you are driving out of the city in a car. Then your body has time to get used to the change. But if you suddenly fly to a high country, your body does not have time to get used to the change. Therefore, the risk is much higher. If you usually go above 8,000 feet, it is best not to go up more than 1,640 feet (500 meters) in a day.
• Alcohol and certain drug use: Drinking alcohol and using sedatives greatly increase this risk.
• If you have had altitude sickness before: If you have had this condition before, especially a severe case like HAPE or HACE, you are more likely to get it again.

How is it treated?

The only and best "cure" for this is to immediately descend to lower ground. That is the best way to save your life.

But it's not always possible to get down to the bottom all at once. There are a few things you can do in times like these and when your symptoms aren't so severe.

• Stopping and resting: If you feel uncomfortable, stop what you are doing and rest for a while. Don't go any higher. Give your body time to rest and adjust to the altitude.
• Descending: If your symptoms are severe (such as dizziness, fatigue, nausea) or are gradually getting worse, you should definitely descend. The rule is to descend until your symptoms improve. Typically, you will need to descend from 984 feet (300 meters) to 3,281 feet (1,000 meters).
• Providing supplemental oxygen: Providing oxygen from an oxygen tank can help relieve symptoms.
• Medication: There are medications that a doctor can prescribe for this. For example, medications like `acetazolamide`, `dexamethasone` or `nifedipine` can help control this condition and prevent it from getting worse. These should only be taken under medical advice .
• Hyperbaric therapy: This is similar to the treatment for 'the bends' that occurs in sea divers. At high altitudes, portable pressure bags (Gamow bags) can be used to artificially create pressure in the lower part of the body, providing relief. This is done to control the worsening of symptoms until the patient can be brought down to the surface.

Can altitude sickness be prevented?

The good news is that this is a largely preventable condition. There are a few things you can do about it.

1. Go up slowly: This is the most important thing. When planning your trip, plan to go up a little bit each day. As mentioned earlier, when going above 8,202 feet (2,500 meters), only go up between 984 feet (300 meters) and 1,640 feet (500 meters) per day.

2. Take rest days: During your ascent, take a day off at the same altitude every two to three days. This gives your body time to acclimatize to the altitude.

3. If possible, come down a little to sleep: If you can go up during the day and come down a little to sleep at night, it can greatly reduce the occurrence of this condition.

4. Preventive medications: If you are traveling to a high altitude, you can talk to your doctor about using medications (e.g., acetazolamide) to prevent this condition. This should only be done under medical advice.

5. Avoid alcohol and smoking: Avoid drinking alcohol for the first two to three days when you go to a high altitude. Also, if you smoke, it is best to stop smoking before the trip, as it affects oxygen levels.

6. Drink plenty of water: Dehydration can make altitude sickness symptoms worse. So drink plenty of water and fluids.

When should you see a doctor? When should you go to an ETU?

It's best to talk to your doctor before you travel to high altitude. They can advise you on the precautions you should take based on your health condition, and if necessary, on preventive medications.

However, if you or someone you are with develops any of the following severe symptoms, it is an emergency. The immediate action is to get down as quickly as possible and go to the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

Altitude sickness is something that can be easily managed and prevented if you plan properly and are aware of the symptoms. So the next time you head out to the highlands or even higher altitudes, keep these tips in mind and enjoy your trip safely.