Being in Peru has inspired me to blog about altitude sickness, especially since I'm experiencing it myself currently!
I figured I'd write this blog from the highest altitude that I've ever experienced -- Puno, Peru (where Lake Titicaca is located )-- at 12,600 feet and where I am having the most symptoms of altitude sickness. Rather than sight-seeing, I'm taking it easy and blogging instead (see how important you are all to me!)
If you are not aware or prepared for altitude sickness, it can be one scary journey... and this blog is meant to prepare you for this issue before you plan your next vacation in high altitudes.
As the name implies altitude sickness develops when one travels to a higher altitude, typically greater than 7,000 feet, though some report symptoms even at 5,000 feet.
At high altitudes there is less oxygen and the symptoms of altitude sickness occur because of this. The higher the altitude, the more likely you are to develop symptoms.
At high altitudes there is less oxygen and the symptoms of altitude sickness occur because of this. The higher the altitude, the more likely you are to develop symptoms.
The most common symptoms include headache, shortness of breath, fast heart beat, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, difficulty sleeping and dizziness. These symptoms, especially the shortness of breath, occur more often with increased exertion.
The most serious symptoms of altitude sickness arise from edema-or fluid accumulation in the tissues of the body. At very high altitudes (typically between 12,000 to 18,000 feet), humans can get either high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) -- which results from fluid in the lung-- or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) --which results from swelling of the brain. Extreme altitude, with the least amount of oxygen, occurs at greater than 18,000 feet and interestingly there is no permanent human habitation above 20,000 feet due to severe lack of oxygen.
Symptoms of HAPE include shortness of breath at rest and a cough productive of a frothy sputum.
HACE is even more life threatening and can lead to altered mental status, loss of control of one's bowel/bladder, seizures, and muscle weakness or even paralysis.
Given the range of severity in altitude sickness, it's important to be aware of the tourist destinations where one may experience altitude sickness.
Here are some of the most common tourist destinations associated with altitude sickness:
1. Mount Everest, Nepal at 17,600 feet
2. Lhasa, Tibet at 12,000 feet
3. Puno, Peru at 12,600 feet
4. Cusco, Peru at 11,000 feet
5. Vail, Colorado at 8,150 feet
6. Macchu Picchu, Peru at 7,970 feet
The most serious symptoms of altitude sickness arise from edema-or fluid accumulation in the tissues of the body. At very high altitudes (typically between 12,000 to 18,000 feet), humans can get either high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) -- which results from fluid in the lung-- or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) --which results from swelling of the brain. Extreme altitude, with the least amount of oxygen, occurs at greater than 18,000 feet and interestingly there is no permanent human habitation above 20,000 feet due to severe lack of oxygen.
Symptoms of HAPE include shortness of breath at rest and a cough productive of a frothy sputum.
HACE is even more life threatening and can lead to altered mental status, loss of control of one's bowel/bladder, seizures, and muscle weakness or even paralysis.
Given the range of severity in altitude sickness, it's important to be aware of the tourist destinations where one may experience altitude sickness.
Here are some of the most common tourist destinations associated with altitude sickness:
1. Mount Everest, Nepal at 17,600 feet
2. Lhasa, Tibet at 12,000 feet
3. Puno, Peru at 12,600 feet
4. Cusco, Peru at 11,000 feet
5. Vail, Colorado at 8,150 feet
6. Macchu Picchu, Peru at 7,970 feet
There are many cities that I have left off of this list. If you are ever planning to travel to a mountainous area-- consider your risk for altitude sickness.
Do you have any additional cities to add to the list? If yes, please feel free to add comments or email me at DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com
Do you have any additional cities to add to the list? If yes, please feel free to add comments or email me at DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com
or ask/follow me on Twitter @Doctor_Deena.
https://twitter.com/Doctor_Deena
https://twitter.com/Doctor_Deena
Next blog, I'll chat with you about the ways to prevent and treat altitude sickness!
**PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND/OR BEFORE STARTING OR STOPPING ANY TREATMENT OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER**
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