When you travel to a high altitude, such as the mountains, you may develop high altitude illness or sickness. Mountain sickness is another term for it. It’s most frequent at altitudes above 8,000 feet. Besides, there is less oxygen at this height. When moving from low to high elevations, your body requires time to acclimate to the change in oxygen levels. As a result, high altitude illness occurs when your body lacks oxygen.
TYPES
The three types of high altitude illness are as follows:
Acute mountain sickness. This is the most prevalent manifestation of the disease. It’s usually mild and only lasts a few days.
High altitude pulmonary edema. This illness causes fluid to build up in your lungs, which can be devastating.
High altitude cerebral edema. This type causes the fluid in your brain to enlarge, which can be deadly.
SYMPTOMS
High-altitude symptoms usually appear 12 to 24 hours after reaching a high altitude. Early signs and symptoms include:
Symptoms that are more severe include:
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, move to a lower elevation as soon as possible and get medical attention. Ignored or mistreated symptoms might be fatal.
DIAGNOSIS
Those who are experiencing signs of high altitude illness should seek medical attention. Make sure to mention the conditions in which the symptoms occurred. Your doctor will do a checkup and may suggest testing depending on the seriousness of your symptoms. A chest X-ray, a brain scan, or an electrocardiogram are all possible tests—these aid in diagnosing the ailment and the formulation of a treatment strategy.
TREATMENT
Treatment for high-altitude illness should begin when the symptoms appear. The first step you should take immediately is to move to a lower altitude. If your signs are minor, you may be able to continue at that elevation and allow your body to recover. Don’t work out if you do this. Rest and drink plenty of water until you start to feel better. Using a device that supplies more oxygen may be beneficial.
If required, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you avoid or treat symptoms. When taking medicine, avoid alcohol and drink lots of water.
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