He altitude sickness or mountain, as it is also known, can appear when climbing or staying at more than 2,500 meters in height. It is a pathology that 30% of travelers suffer when ascending more than 3,000 meters and that can reach 65-70% at 4,000 meters of altitude.
It is a problem that can affect everyone. However, as explained by , “there are people who are more susceptible than others to altitude sickness, and there are also factors that affect such as physical activity, the speed of the ascent or the initial height from which you start.”
But why does it occur? As you ascend, the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere decreases with height.
And it translates into a maladjustment of our body to low oxygen. It is what is called hypoxiawhich “occurs because as there is more altitude, the atmospheric pressure decreases and there is less oxygen and nitrogen, so that the alveoli of the lungs cannot transport the necessary amount of oxygen to the blood.”
What are the symptoms of altitude sickness?
They usually appear 6-10 hours after the ascent, although they can be delayed up to 24 hours. “Furthermore, those people who are used to living below 900 meters usually notice symptoms a few hours after arriving at high altitude places, especially at night,” say the specialists at the Clínic de Barcelona.
The milder symptoms are as follows:
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Dizziness or a feeling of vertigo.
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Nausea and/or vomiting.
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Fatigue.
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(a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute).
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Headache (headache).
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Difficulty breathing.
In the most serious cases, people who suffer from altitude sickness can suffer:
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Altered consciousness.
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Difficulty moving.
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Cough.
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Bluish color to the lips and skin (cyanosis).
It is important to bear in mind that once the symptoms begin, they must be treated, since they could trigger pulmonary or cerebral edema. In both, its evolution is lethal unless it is descended immediately, as well as urgent medical attention.
Can altitude sickness be prevented?
Yes. As specified by the (UIAA), the increase in altitude should not exceed 500 meters when reaching 3,000 meters above sea level. And he emphasizes taking a rest day after three or four ascents to avoid altitude sickness.
It is also essential:
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Drink plenty of liquid.
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Prioritize a diet rich in carbohydrates and avoid drinking alcohol until the activity in the mountains has finished.
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Adapt the body progressively: choose a slow pace for the first 30 minutes.
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Sleep at least eight hours and do not make a physical overexertion.
Which is the treatment?
Although the symptoms may improve with the descent, it is very likely that treatment will be necessary.
- oxygen supply.
- Use of corticosteroids.
- Hyperbaric chamber. A hermetic cabin that administers pure oxygen in a fully pressurized environment. It can be used in other pathologies such as burns, brain abscess, air bubbles in blood vessels, brain injury or carbon monoxide poisoning.