Altitude Sickness is a mountain sickness which is mostly caused in the high altitude area above 3,000m. Even though altitude sickness is considered a common sickness in mountains but if it is not cured then it can be fatal. The symptoms of altitude sickness are dizziness, headache, vomiting, nausea, weakness, etc. Altitude sickness is also called Acute Mountain Sickness.
Furthermore, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a very familiar sickness for hikers, trekkers & mountaineers. It is mostly caused due to the low amount of oxygen at the higher altitude. This generally occurs at an altitude above 3,000m. To be safe and prevent from altitude sickness here are the breakdown of Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms and prevntions.
Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS):
“AMS”
When traveling to higher altitudes, air pressures decrease & the amount of oxygen drops as well. If your body couldn’t adjust then within a few hours your body will start to show signs of Acute Mountain Sickness. That is why when trekking or traveling at a high altitude, acclimatization is necessary.
So, how can you know if you are suffering from altitude sickness:
- Headache followed by dizziness
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Weakness or muscle fatigue
- Irritability
- Difficult to breath
- Insomnia ( difficulty in sleeping )
- Loss of appetite
Above listed symptoms are commonely seen when people suffer from altitude sickness.
Prevention & Cure to Acute Mountain Sickness
“Prevention is better than Cure”
Altitude sickness is a common problem in higher altitude but if we ignore its signs & symptoms then it might get fatal too. So if you ever found yourself suffering from Altitude sickness then do this things for prevention:
- Stop ascending & if needed fall back to the lower altitude
- Rest & hydrate your body with fluids
- Reduce physical exertion
- Take a full day rest before ascending to the higher altitude
- Avoid Alcohol & Sleeping Tablets ( very dangerous )
Medication for Acute Mountain Sickness:
- Take Acetazolamide “water pill”
- Use lung inhaler
- Use Aspirin- reduce fever, headache, muscle ache ( in case if needed )
Stay Safe: Don’t worry altitude sickness is very common. It can happen to anyone at any elevation. Just be cautious while traveling to higher elevation & follow the above preventive measure to cure acute mountain sickness.
