When symptoms are moderate, improvement will take place within 24 hours. Descend until symptoms begin to fade, which is often around 1,500 to 2,000 feet for moderate symptoms. If symptoms worsen or if a person is suffering from HAPE or HACE, descent should begin immediately. When dealing with acute mountain sickness, the mildest form of altitude sickness, a person can wait for their body to adjust, provided symptoms do not progress. Treatment depends on the type of altitude sickness that the person is suffering from. Initially, this will occur with exertion, however as it worsens the individual will also experience extreme breathlessness at rest, and also coughing and weakness. People who are suffering from HAPE will experience feelings of increased breathlessness and may show signs of blue fingernails or lips. Like HACE, this condition is life-threatening and requires immediate descent as death can occur even more quickly. When fluid builds up in the lungs due to poor acclimatization at high altitudes, it is known as high altitude pulmonary edema.Ī person with high-altitude pulmonary edema, or HAPE, may or may not also suffer from HACE, or acute mountain sickness. HACE symptoms are the same as the symptoms of acute mountain sickness however, sufferers will also experience extreme lethargy, confusion, drowsiness, and ataxia.Īlthough this is a rare form of altitude sickness, it should be taken very seriously, as failure to descend can lead to death within 24 hours. When a person develops HACE, he must return to his normal altitude immediately and seek medical attention. This condition is more advanced and life-threatening than acute mountain sickness. Additional symptoms may also include feelings of weakness, vomiting, and swelling of one’s extremities.Īltitude sickness that involves a build-up of fluid in the brain is known as high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). The symptoms that are associated with this condition include headache, nausea, and a loss of appetite. Symptoms of this sickness typically begin as early as two hours after reaching the higher altitude, or as long as 12 hours after. The most common altitude sickness is acute or mild mountain sickness. When planning a camping or hiking trip that involves traveling to a higher altitude, one should visit their family physician, who can discuss acetazolamide and its potential side-effects, which may include tingling of fingers. Currently, only acetazolamide (Diamox) is known to help speed up the rate that one acclimatizes to higher altitudes however, studies have shown that ibuprofen may also be helpful. People should be wary of taking medications that claim to prevent altitude sickness from occurring. Alcohol and tobacco use should also be avoided in efforts to prevent the onset of the illness. This includes being well-rested prior to the trip, ascending at a gradual pace, including rest days, and giving the body time to adjust to being at the new altitude. People hiking or otherwise traveling to higher altitudes can take steps to help them adjust more efficiently. This knowledge is important so that they can prevent or recognize it, and know what to do if they or one of their companions should become ill. Many people enjoy activities that allow them to get outside and take in some fresh air, but hikers, skiers, and others who are traveling to great heights must educate themselves about altitude sickness when planning their trip. The three forms of altitude sickness are acute mountain sickness, high altitude pulmonary edema, and high-altitude cerebral edema. If a person does not fully acclimatize to the higher altitude, it may cause a condition known as altitude sickness.
#Altitude sickness medication full
Typically, full acclimatization can take as long as five days. How Does the Body Adjust to High Altitudes? When a person travels to a location that is greater than 8,000 feet, they must do so at a speed that allows their body to acclimatize to certain changes, such as decreased air pressure, low humidity, and greater exposure to ultraviolet rays.
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