Altitude sickness...

Thom02099 wrote:
Altitude sickness is very real, and can be very dangerous. Nausea, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and headaches are other symptoms to be aware of. Frequent recommendation is to get to a lower elevation until one acclimates to the change in altitude. And hydrate...hydrate...hydrate.

Even those of us who have lived at a higher elevation can experience altitude sickness. I have had issues going up to the top of Mt Evans (14000 ft), as well as several points along Trail Ridge Road (at 12000 ft) at various times. Doesn't happen every time. I've also gone up Pikes Peak on the cog railway and didn't have any problems at the top.

Most folks can acclimate to a change in altitude. It may need to be done gradually. Not everyone is going to respond the same way. Much depends also on your age, general health, and general physical condition.

Worst thing to do? Ignore the symptoms.

Hydrate - two advil - drop to a couple thousand feet lower for a day and from personal experience (Son's sking in Utah) it should pass.

Don't think he had the advil - but we sure used it a lot . :)

IMHO water is the Key, Thom is spot on!

BOL,

Tip,

Drink club soda and nap during the day. Open the windows and let the fresh air inside the RV.

I worked at the hospital in Vail (8150 ft) for several years, and can say that what you're feeling is perfectly normal. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)can be very mild for some and life threatening for others. We would often see folks who have been coming to the mountains for years but "never felt this way until this trip," then would be fine the next time they came out. AMS can be pretty unpredictable. I've noticed that some people seem more vulnerable when there's a low pressure weather system over the mountains but I have no factual data to back that up.

Physiologically, most people get used to the symptoms (shortness of breath, rapid heart/respiratory rates) in a few days; it takes your body about 3 months to fully adapt but some people never do get used to it.

What helps? Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. If you can, stay at a more moderate altitude at the start of your vacation, then work your way higher. Don't exert yourself greatly for a day or so, and watch the alcohol. Some people benefit from a medication called Diamox starting a few days before coming to altitude, your doctor would need to prescribe that for you.

Danger signs to watch for include coughing up reddish froth or extreme confusion. Pink froth from your lungs is a sign of high altitude pulmonary edema and you'll need to get to an emergency room. Sudden confusion can (doesn't always) be a sign of high altitude cerebral edema, which is quite rare but a true medical emergency.

Not to worry you, most people feel a little winded for a few days and are just fine. By the time you read this you'll probably be feeling better already.

The "experts" at the cog railway at Pikes Peak told our group to drink water . . . Lots of it. H2O. 2 parts hydrogen 1 part water. Seemed to help. Also told us to limit caffeine & alcohol.
Good luck!

I am an old ex smoker myself and have this issue occasionally.As has been said,not always,but sometimes and when I do,I take a puff off the o2 bottle or two.

You can buy o2 online.I get mine on Ebay but have seen it at Walmart as well.No Script needed.

It's not sometjhing I need all the time or even alot,but sure nice to have it when I feel I need it and makes me feel alot better.

No nausea. Just not hungry. Drowsy, want to sleep all the time. Feels like low dopamine. Hard to do anything. Had a heavy sense of dread and lack of interest in all the things I love. Craving watermelon. 30 min. down the hill and I'm too tired to make the trip. Might an ozone machine help? I'm not ignoring it, I just don't know what to do about it. Came here from 3200 feet...was there 2 months. Everyone here just tells me it will go away but I dunno.

Altitude sickness is very real, and can be very dangerous. Nausea, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and headaches are other symptoms to be aware of. Frequent recommendation is to get to a lower elevation until one acclimates to the change in altitude. And hydrate...hydrate...hydrate.

Even those of us who have lived at a higher elevation can experience altitude sickness. I have had issues going up to the top of Mt Evans (14000 ft), as well as several points along Trail Ridge Road (at 12000 ft) at various times. Doesn't happen every time. I've also gone up Pikes Peak on the cog railway and didn't have any problems at the top.

Most folks can acclimate to a change in altitude. It may need to be done gradually. Not everyone is going to respond the same way. Much depends also on your age, general health, and general physical condition.

Worst thing to do? Ignore the symptoms.

Tom/Barb wrote:
This happens more than people realize, be careful do not over exert your self, watch for the sparkly things on your peripheral vision. when /if that happens get some O2 going ASAP.
Us old smokers have this happen often above 10,000'

Oh! Good to know. Do people usually adjust? I was feeling so good and this feels awful. I'm ready to go almost anywhere just to feel normal again. But if you drop down anywhere near here you're in serious heat. Is there any way to up the oxygen levels in an enclosed space?

Take it easy for the next few days and stay hydrated. Should pass but if it doesn't in a short time, move to a lower elevation. Don't hesitate to go to the ER if it becomes more than just an inconvenience.

This happens more than people realize, be careful do not over exert your self, watch for the sparkly things on your peripheral vision. when /if that happens get some O2 going ASAP.
Us old smokers have this happen often above 10,000'