It’s the Climb: Safeguard your holiday mountain getaway and learn the facts about altitude sickness

Amanda Moutinho

Denverites like to boast about living in the Mile High City. We like it up here at 5,280 feet above sea level, and we’re always itching to go higher. But it can be tough on the body for those who aren’t used to the sky-high altitudes. If you’re planning on spending your holidays up on the slopes or in a cozy mountain cabin, here are some things to keep in mind.

Altitude sickness is the body’s negative reaction to the low pressure of oxygen at high altitude. It’s different for everyone, and some people have no problem at all. Coloradans might be more adapted to higher altitudes, but even we can get a little dizzy. Also, be extra wary when taking sea-level out-of-towners to the mountains.

Altitude sickness starts to develop at elevations higher than 8,000 feet. It can be triggered by ascending too rapidly, insufficient fluid intake, being too cold, and consumption of alcohol or other sedatives. The symptoms include fatigue, headache, dizziness, insomnia, shortness of breath, nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, nosebleed, persistent rapid pulse, low energy, and swelling of hands and/or feet. Of course these can almost be signs of anything, but keep an eye out. Symptoms can be gradual or sudden and sometimes not even appear until the day after.

To prevent altitude sickness make sure to stay hydrated. Try to avoid alcohol, at least on the first day. But to compensate for the lack of booze and to avoid feeling sick, eat a lot of carbohydrates and avoid physical exertion. So feel free to lounge on the coach and load up on the bread and pasta. Other suggestions are to stay warm and take over-the-counter headache medicine. Avoid sleeping pills or other depressants to treat insomnia, because they can suppress breathing. If you notice any symptoms, it’s better to delay ascent until they subside. If they worsen, descend 1,000 – 2,000 feet.

Stopping at an intermediate altitude overnight can also alleviate symptoms. Try to increase the sleeping altitude by no more than 1,000 feet per 24 hours. The mountaineer rule is to “climb high and sleep low.” So keep that in mind if you’re hitting the slopes to sleep at a lower altitude.

If you’re worried or just very susceptible to altitude sickness, your doctor can prescribe you some medication to help speed up acclimatization. Make sure to talk to your doctor if you have any lung or heart problems.

Be aware that more serious things can occur, such as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), which is where fluid builds up in the lungs, and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), where fluid builds up in the brain. The most serious HACE cases can result in comas or even death. Symptoms to watch out for are shortness of breath when resting, coughing, possible fevers, confusion, disorientation, impaired coordination, and loss of muscle development. Descend immediately if any of these symptoms are noticed and seek medical assistance if problems are severe or persist after dissention.

Consciousness is the most important thing. Be self-aware and alert to the members in your party. And don’t be overly paranoid! Altitude sickness is usually mild and easily avoidable. Just relax and enjoy the view from the top.