Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is when your body doesn’t have time to adjust to lower oxygen availability higher up in the atmosphere. You can get altitude sickness if you're in a place that is at a high altitude (usually more than 2,500 metres above sea level). Also, you're more likely to get it if you travel or climb to a high altitude quickly.

Symptoms of altitude sickness usually start 6 to 10 hours after being at a high altitude. Altitude sickness is usually preventable and treatable. It is important to recognise the symptoms early in order to manage them effectively. Symptoms of altitude sickness include:

• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling or being sick
• Feeling tired or exhausted
• Dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping

In some cases, symptoms can be more severe and life threatening, and that necessitates altitude sickness treatment all the more.

Minimising the risk of altitude sickness

• Travel or climb to a high altitude slowly to give your body time to get used to lower oxygen levels.
• Spend a few days at an altitude below 2,500 metres before going any higher.
• Have a rest day at the same altitude every 3 to 4 days (if you're at an altitude of 3,000 metres or more).
• Drink enough water so you do not get dehydrated.

High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE)

This condition can develop as a result of fluid accumulation in the brain, which can be a complication of altitude sickness. Symptoms can include difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, cough and extreme fatigue.

High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE)

This condition can develop as a result of fluid accumulation on the lungs, which can be a complication of altitude sickness. Symptoms can include loss of coordination, lethargy and behavioural shifts.

If you develop HACE or HAPE, you must descend immediately, even during the night, and by at least 500-1,000 metres. Any delay can be fatal. These conditions can be addressed with oxygen and steroid treatments, but there are no guarantees, and descending right away is critical.

At Pharmulous we offer the right consultation for altitude sickness - that can help alleviate the symptoms of altitude sickness. Acetazolamide is successfully used to prevent or alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness as off-label. This means despite evidence in helping with altitude sickness the indication is not included in the licence of the product.