Do you climb mountains? Let's learn about altitude sickness?

Have you ever experienced a sudden headache or nausea when you go to a high altitude area like Nuwara Eliya or Horton Plains? Some people think this is just normal travel sickness, but it actually has a medical explanation. We call this "Altitude Sickness" or "Mountain Sickness". Simply put, it is a reaction of our body when we suddenly go to a very high altitude. So, let's talk a little about this today.

Why is this happening to us?

This is very simple to understand. Imagine, when we are at sea level, there is a weight of air above our heads, or barometric pressure. As we go up, the height of this air column decreases, so the pressure also decreases. At the same time, the amount of oxygen in the air at that height also decreases. When we live at the same altitude, our body is very accustomed to that pressure and oxygen level. But when we suddenly, within a day or two, go to a very high place (for example, more than 8,000 feet), our body does not have enough time to adapt to this change. These symptoms appear when the body does not get the amount of oxygen it needs.

Are there main types of Altitude Sickness?

Yes, this condition can be divided into three main levels. This classification is done according to its severity.

What are the symptoms of this?

Symptoms usually start to appear within 12 to 24 hours of going to high altitude. They may subside within a day or two as your body adjusts to the altitude.

Mild symptoms

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Excessive body fatigue
• Difficulty breathing
• Insomnia
• Appetite

Moderate symptoms

If your condition is more severe, your symptoms may become more severe. Even if you take painkillers, they will not reduce. Instead of getting better over time, you will start to feel worse.

• Loss of coordination, inability to control the body while walking, loss of balance and risk of falling
• Severe headache that does not subside despite taking medication
• Feeling of tightness in the chest

Severe symptoms (HAPE/HACE)

• Confusion
• Severe shortness of breath even at rest
• Inability to walk
• Coughing up white or pink frothy mucus
• Coma

Who is most at risk of developing this?

This is the most important thing. No matter how fit, young, healthy, or even an Olympic athlete you are, you can still develop Altitude Sickness. In fact, the more physical activity you do at high altitude, the more likely you are to develop it. There are several other factors that can contribute to its development:

• How fast you went to a higher place
• How high you've gone
• The height of where you sleep at night
• Your age (young people are more likely to develop it)
• Have you ever had altitude sickness before?

Having diabetes or lung disease does not increase your risk of developing this condition. However, people who have recently had a heart attack or stroke, or those with chronic conditions such as sickle cell anemia, COPD, or heart failure may have difficulty coping with altitude. Therefore, if you have any chronic conditions, it is important to talk to your doctor before traveling to high altitudes.

How can this be treated and prevented?

More important than treatment is prevention.

Treatment

• Mild symptoms: Stay at the same altitude for a day or two. Let your body adjust. Get plenty of rest, stay warm, and drink plenty of water. Don't go any higher until your symptoms are completely gone.
• Severe symptoms: If symptoms are severe, or do not improve within two days, immediately go to a lower altitude as much as possible. Do not exert yourself. See a doctor immediately. If necessary, the doctor will do a chest X-ray or a CT/MRI scan of the brain to check for fluid accumulation in the lungs or brain. Oxygen may be needed for HAPE, and medications such as Dexamethasone may be needed for HACE.

Prevention

The best and only way to avoid this is 'acclimatization' . Simply put, giving our bodies enough time to adjust to a new altitude and new pressure.

• Start your journey at an altitude of less than 10,000 feet. If you have to go to a higher altitude in one go by plane or vehicle, stop at least one day at a lower altitude before continuing to the next higher altitude.
• If that is not possible, you can take a medication such as Acetazolamide, which helps the body adapt to the environment quickly , only on the advice of your doctor .
• If you hike above 10,000 feet, you only climb an additional 1,000 feet per day.
• For every 3,000 feet you climb, rest at least a day at that altitude.
• Use the concept of "climb high and sleep low." That is, climb more than 1,000 feet during the day and come down to a slightly lower altitude to sleep at night.
• Drink at least 3-4 liters of water a day . Consume about 70% of your meals from carbohydrates ( starch ).
• Do not use tobacco , alcohol, and drugs such as sleeping pills within the first 48 hours.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for the first 48 hours.
• Recognize the early symptoms as soon as they appear and be ready to descend immediately.