How Do You Prevent and Treat Altitude Sickness?

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Altitude Sickness Basics What Happens Above 8,000 feet, oxygen availability drops. Body can’t absorb enough oxygen. Symptoms develop as body responds.
Severity Spectrum Mild: Headache, fatigue, mild nausea Moderate: Significant symptoms, impact on performance Severe: Life-threatening conditions (HACE, HAPE) Prevention Strategies Gradual Ascent Most important prevention. Ascend 1,000-1,500 feet per day above 8,000 feet. This allows acclimatization.
Hydration Drink continuously. Dehydration worsens altitude sickness. 3-4 liters daily even without thirst.
Nutrition Adequate calories support acclimatization. Carbohydrate-rich diet (60-70% carbs) improves oxygen utilization.
Avoid Depressants No alcohol, sedatives, sleeping pills. These reduce oxygen intake.
Rest Sleep at lower altitude if possible. Allows better acclimatization.
Acclimatization Timeline Day 1: Arrival at altitude, mild symptoms Day 2-3: Improvement as body adjusts Day 4-5: Most people feel normal Continued ascent: Every few days allows further acclimatization
Recognizing Symptoms Mild-Moderate Headache (most common) Nausea/loss of appetite Fatigue Dizziness Sleep disruption Severe (Life-Threatening) Severe headache unrelieved by medication Confusion Difficulty walking (ataxia) Severe shortness of breath Pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs) Severe symptoms require immediate descent.
Treatment Mild Symptoms Rest at current altitude Hydration Pain medication for headache Time (1-3 days usually) Descent if not improving Moderate Symptoms Immediate descent (even 1,000 feet helps) Hydration Rest at lower altitude Medications if descent not possible Severe Symptoms Immediate descent (mandatory) Don’t wait for medication to work Descent is only treatment that works Medical evacuation if available Medications Acetazolamide (Diamox) Increases oxygen utilization. Helps prevent/reduce symptoms. Side effects: tingling, altered taste.
Ibuprofen Helps headache but doesn’t treat underlying problem.
Oxygen High-flow oxygen helps if available but doesn’t replace descent.
High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) Symptoms Severe headache Confusion, altered mental state Loss of coordination Difficulty walking Response Immediate descent (mandatory) Oxygen if available Seek emergency care High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) Symptoms Severe shortness of breath Pink/frothy sputum Weakness Response Immediate descent Oxygen if available Emergency care Fitness and Altitude Doesn’t Prevent Sickness Fit people get altitude sickness too. Fitness doesn’t help.
Individual Variation Some people acclimatize easily; others struggle. No predictable pattern.
Descent Protocol Decision to Descend Descend if:
Symptoms aren’t improving after rest Symptoms are severe Unusual symptoms develop Descent Rate 1,000-3,000 feet descent usually improves symptoms.
Return Ascent Don’t return to altitude immediately. Wait days or weeks.
Planning Considerations Pre-Expedition Research Know altitude of destination. Plan acclimatization days.
Medication Consultation Discuss with doctor before expedition. Medications can be prescribed preventatively.
Fitness Preparation While fitness doesn’t prevent altitude sickness, aerobic fitness helps with overall mountain travel.
Psychological Factors Fear of altitude sickness can become self-fulfilling Mild symptoms are normal, manageable Accept acclimatization timeline Descent is not failure, it’s wisdom Conclusion Altitude sickness is preventable through gradual ascent and acclimatization. Recognize symptoms early. Descend if symptoms don’t improve. Respect altitude — forcing ascent is dangerous.