How to prevent and treat altitude sickness!

Last week I blogged about what altitude sickness is all about 
Today, I will discuss a few tips on how to prevent and treat altitude sickness! 

Firstly - its important to remember that altitude sickness can happen to anyone....old, young, healthy, innactive, etc. There's really no way to predict who will develop it! However; those who have an underlying medical condition (especially of the heart and/or lungs) should discuss w/ their doctor whether or not their body is prepared to deal with a higher elevation.

Here's a short list of tips to keep in mind: 

1. The key is acclimatization. Plan an itinerary so that you do not go directly to the destination with the highest altitude first. Stay in cities at lower altitudes (at least greater than 3000 feet) for 2-3 days and then gradually ascend higher every few days. Let your body get used to the lack of oxygen! (it takes about 2-3 days for your body to acclimatize to a new altitude)

2. Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water

3. Go at your own pace. Some people will notice increased shortness of breath even after 1 flight of stairs. If you start getting short of breath....slooow down!

4. Obtain a prescription for acetazolamide or dexamethasone (if you have a sulfa allergy). Take these pills 2 days before you start your ascent & continue the medications until you have descended to a lower altitude

5. Be aware of the side effects of acetazolamide! (We all experienced these side effects during our trip to Peru!)These include numbness/tingling in the hands/feet, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, taste changes, blurred vision, eye sensitivity to light, and/or hearing changes

6. If you have heart or lung problems (especially if you use oxygen) make sure you get medical clearance by a physician first. The worst thing that can happen is having a medical crisis in an area with no convenient hospitals! 

7. (If traveling to Peru) Drink coca tea aka mate de coca -- a local remedy for altitude sickness. The coca leaves, used to make the tea, contain alkaloids which many Peruvians believe help prevent altitude sickness

8. If your symptoms get worse-- seek out oxygen (tanks are usually available in hotels, clinics, hospitals, and even some pubtalic buses) and plan to descend to a lower elevation ASAP

Hope this information helps! Please feel free email me at DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com 
or ask/follow me on Twitter @Doctor_Deena. 


**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**