Feeling a little out of breath? Have a headache? You may be impacted by the altitude of the Rocky Mountains. Everyone's body reacts to the thin air differently, and you can’t predict if Colorado’s elevation will affect you. The best preparation is to know how to spot the symptoms, and what to do if you experience them. Let us help.
What happens when you go to higher elevations?
The higher you go, the thinner the air. And though it's generally thought that there's less oxygen in the air at higher altitudes, that's not the case. The percentage of oxygen is the same, but the pressure is lower, meaning there's less oxygen available for your body to use. This lack of oxygen (hypoxia) uncomfortably results in, for some, a collection of symptoms usually referred to as altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS). AMS is always caused by going too high too fast. And it can happen to anyone—even the most fit of athletes, since everyone’s body has a different rate of acclimating.
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness
Many people feel short of breath at altitude. This is actually not a symptom of altitude sickness, but your body normally adapting to the lack of available oxygen. What you do want to be aware of are symptoms such as headache (the most common symptom), nausea, trouble sleeping and fatigue.
If you experience any of these symptoms, follow the guidelines below and let those you're with know you’re not feeling 100 percent. Symptoms usually improve once your body adapts to the higher elevation, which takes 24 to 36 hours for most people. You need to be patient and most importantly, you need to keep hydrated and take it easy.
What to do if you're affected by the altitude:
Drink plenty of water—Replenishing fluids helps to stabilize your body. Because of the dryness, as well as the altitude, it is recommended you drink three to four quarts a day while staying at higher altitudes.
Take it easy—Don’t overexert yourself. Light activity at the beginning of your stay helps to establish a rhythm with your cardiovascular system; heavy exertion can lead to a failure of your body to keep up. Be mindful of how your body feels.
Minimize tobacco use, alcohol and salty foods—Keep smoking to a minimum, drink less alcohol and eat fewer salty foods, especially if you are feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Prescribe prevention—If you know from previous trips to altitude that your body does not adapt rapidly, there are prescription medications (Diamox) that can help your body adjust faster, and eliminate most of the symptoms.
Treat you headache—Most people who have altitude headache will get better with ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin.
If your symptoms continue beyond 48 hours, or your shortness of breath happens while you are at rest, you may need additional medication or to be seen by a health professional. Remember that altitude sickness can affect anybody, even top-flight athletes. Everyone’s body responds differently to the effects of hypoxia.
Most importantly, if you’re not feeling well, let someone know.
This information is brought to you by the Altitude Research Center, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine.