Overview Medicare Coverage Options. Broker Resources. Individuals and Families. Health and Wellness. Wellness Library. Altitude Sickness. Condition Basics What is altitude sickness? What causes it? What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of altitude sickness include: A headache, which is usually throbbing. It gets worse during the night and when you wake up. Not feeling like eating. Feeling sick to your stomach. You may vomit. Feeling weak and tired. In severe cases, you do not have the energy to eat, dress yourself, or do anything. Waking up during the night and not sleeping well. Feeling dizzy. How is it diagnosed? How is altitude sickness treated?
How can you prevent it? If you go to altitudes higher than 8, feet ft , try to spend at least a night at a medium altitude before going higher. Do not fly into high-altitude cities. If this is not possible, avoid large meals, alcohol, and being very active after you arrive. Rest, and drink plenty of liquids.
Push Health can connect people who need an acetazolamide prescription with a medical provider who can prescribe acetazolamide medication, including acetazolamide mg and acetazolamide mg, when appropriate to do so. Acetazolamide prescription medication was previously marketed under the brand name Diamox and belongs to a class of medications known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that is involved with the reabsorption of specific ions - an action that is blocked by acetazolamide medication. Through its action, acetazolamide medication causes the excretion of bicarbonate which causes the body to hyperventilate to compensate for acidification in the blood.
Hyperventilation results lower levels of carbon dioxide and higher levels of oxygen - a state which can be beneficial in higher altitudes. Other uses for acetazolamide prescription medication have been contemplated. Acetazolamide capsules are usually available as acetazolamide mg, acetazolamide mg and acetazolamide mg tablets. Your age, sex or physical fitness do not affect your likelihood of getting altitude sickness. Symptoms of altitude sickness Symptoms of altitude sickness usually develop between 6 and 24 hours after reaching altitudes more than 2,m above sea level.
Symptoms are similar to those of a bad hangover and include: headache feeling and being sick dizziness tiredness loss of appetite shortness of breath The symptoms are usually worse at night. Preventing altitude sickness The best way to prevent getting altitude sickness is to travel to altitudes above 2,m slowly.
It usually takes a few days for your body to get used to a change in altitude. You should also: avoid flying directly to areas of high altitude, if possible take 2 to 3 days to get used to high altitudes before going above 2,m avoid climbing more than m to m a day have a rest day every m to m you go up, or rest every 3 to 4 days make sure you're drinking enough water avoid smoking and alcohol avoid strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours eat a light but high-calorie diet Medicines Consider travelling with these medicines for altitude sickness: acetazolamide to prevent and treat high-altitude sickness ibuprofen and paracetamol for headaches anti-sickness medicine, such as promethazine , for nausea In the UK, acetazolamide is not licensed to treat altitude sickness.
Promethazine is available from pharmacies. You do not need a prescription to buy it. Treating altitude sickness If you think you have altitude sickness: stop and rest where you are do not go any higher for at least 24 to 48 hours if you have a headache, take ibuprofen or paracetamol if you feel sick, take an anti-sickness medicine, such as promethazine make sure you're drinking enough water do not smoke, drink alcohol, or exercise Acetazolamide can be used to reduce the severity of your symptoms, but it will not completely get rid of them.
You can continue going up with care once you feel you have fully recovered. If you do not feel any better after 24 hours, go down by at least m about 1, feet. Do not attempt to climb again until your symptoms have completely disappeared. Diamox Acetazolamide is used for the prevention or lessening of symptoms related to mountain sickness in climbers attempting rapid ascent and in those experiencing mountain sickness despite gradual ascent.
The most common symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness AMS are headache, GI symptoms nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite , dizziness, fatigue and sleeping difficulties. The severity of the symptoms can vary depending on speed of ascent, the altitude attained especially sleeping altitude , strenuous activity at or reaching high altitude, time spent at high altitude and previous history of AMS.
If you experience confusion, disorientation, lethargy or irrational behavior, symptoms of HACE or breathlessness, persistent cough, or frothy sputum symptoms of HAPE , you should descend to a lower altitude and get medical attention immediately.
If you are planning to climb to an altitude over 12, ft. Gradual ascent to high altitudes above 8, ft. Other strategies to avoid AMS are; eat a high carbohydrate diet, reduce activity until you acclimatize, ascend gradually, and take a prophylactic drug, such as Diamox.
Allergic reactions to Diamox can occur such as rash, fever and wheezing.
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