Altitude Sickness

What is altitude sickness?
What are the symptoms of altitude sickness?
Is altitude sickness dangerous?
Who gets altitude sickness?
How do I avoid it?
How do I treat it?

What is altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness occurs when the body reacts poorly to sudden travel to high altitudes, where the air is “thinner” and the body gets less oxygen in each breath. About one in five people traveling to the mountains of Colorado suffer altitude sickness.

What are the symptoms of altitude sickness?

The most common symptom is a headache. Difficulty sleeping, shortness of breathe, loss of appetite, and vomiting are other common symptoms. Symptoms usually develop in the first 12 hours after reaching altitude and subside in one to three days.

Is altitude sickness dangerous?

It is not dangerous in the vast majority of cases among people traveling to Colorado mountains. People with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular diseases should consult a doctor before coming to high altitudes as these conditions can make it difficult to adjust to altitude.

In extremely rare occasions people can develop more severe symptoms, called high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). They are characterized by extreme fatigue, weakness, and severe cough or confusion, drowsiness, and difficulty walking. People suffering such symptoms should consult a doctor.

Who gets altitude sickness?

It is difficult to predict who will get altitude sickness. Even aerobically fit people may suffer. It is more likely among people who have come from sea level and among younger people, especially children.

How do I avoid it?

• The most reliable way to avoid altitude sickness is to ascend to altitude slowly, say spending a night in Denver before traveling to the mountains.
• Do not overexert yourself.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Minimize alcohol consumption because that can lead to dehydration, which can occur easily in the dry environment in the mountains.
• Eat lighter meals, high in carbohydrates.

How do I treat it?

Rest, drink plenty of fluids, take a mild pain killer, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.

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This information has been approved by E. Rand Sutherland, MD (September 2006).