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Mountain Sickness
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Mountain sickness, also called high altitude sickness,
usually occurs at heights of 8,500 feet or more, where the
oxygen in the air is significantly reduced. You are especially
likely to develop this problem when you travel to the mountains
after living in an area close to sea level. Young people
have mountain sickness more frequently than older adults, and
you don't have to be out of shape to be affected. Although it
is not usually a serious illness, a really bad attack can make
you very ill.
Causes
You're most likely to have this problem when you
experience a sudden change in elevation. For example, if you
rush right from Los Angeles to Colorado's Rocky Mountains
without stopping a while in Denver to get used to the altitude,
you may develop symptoms.
Signs/Symptoms
Typical signs of mountain
sickness include headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite,
tiredness, dizziness, trouble walking, insomnia, and trouble
breathing.
Care
If your symptoms are mild, you
may not need treatment. If you have a headache, you may need
medicine. If your symptoms are serious, you may be given oxygen
or hospitalized.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
For the first 24 to 36 hours, restrict yourself to
light exercise; heavy exercise will make you feel
worse.
-
Rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat small, light
meals. Don't smoke or drink alcoholic beverages. Do not
take sleeping pills or other
sedatives.
-
To prevent high altitude sickness during future
trips:
-
Give your body a few days to adjust to the change
in altitude before you start your
activities.
-
Go to higher elevations as slowly as possible (no
more than 1000 feet per day).
-
Visit higher elevations during the daytime and
return to a lower altitude in the
evening.
-
Ask your family doctor about medicines that may
help.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You do not feel better in a few
days.
-
You have headache, nausea, vomiting, tiredness,
shortness of breath, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping and
going to a lower elevation does not relieve these
symptoms.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You have a great deal of trouble breathing, chest
pain, a dry cough or a cough that produces bloody sputum,
increasingly severe headache, difficulty walking, fast
heartbeat, difficulty concentrating, or a feeling of
confusion.
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