Seeing the world through traveling can be a rewarding and exciting experience. However, even when soaking in new sights, safety should be a top consideration?especially when exploring areas that are unfamiliar and that the body is not accustomed to. Altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness, is an illness that plagues many travelers. Mountain climbers or tourists visiting destinations at high altitudes should be aware of the signs of altitude sickness and know preventative measures and treatment options so they can ward off the symptoms and enjoy their trips as fully as possible.
As altitude increases, the number of oxygen molecules inhaled per breath decreases, so the body must operate with less oxygen. Travelers can begin to experience mountain sickness at 8,000 feet, but most do not feel the symptoms until over 12,000 feet. Most people experience mountain sickness because they attempt to climb too high too quickly; if they ascend at a slower pace, the body is able to better adapt to its new surroundings.
Mild mountain sickness can lead the traveler to experience dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches, and nausea. As the sickness gets more severe, symptoms include decreasing mental status, fluid build-up in the lungs, and the inability to walk. At this point, travelers should immediately descend to a lower altitude.
Climbers should take precautions to avoid experiencing mountain sickness. A pulse oximeter is a necessary tool for any climber?it can measure the pulse and the blood oxygen saturation, alerting climbers if their bodies are not receiving enough oxygen. Climbers should also avoid ascending to a higher altitude too quickly, and if they begin to feel symptoms, they should not travel further until the symptoms die down. Eating a high-calorie diet can be beneficial for travelers at a high altitude, as well. Travelers can take medications, such as acetazolamide or dexamethasone, before reaching high altitudes as a preventative measure.
