Your mountain vacation: Long runs, soft snow, breathtaking views, cozy nights in front of a fire, gourmet food — and a headache?


Restless nights, shortness of breath and a pounding headache weren’t in the vacation plans, but one out of every five High Country visitors end up with symptoms of altitude sickness severe enough to interfere with their activities, said Dillon physician Jim Oberheide.
At elevations above 6,000-8,000 feet, the body needs to adjust to the decreased availability of oxygen. Every breath contains fewer molecules of oxygen, resulting in less oxygenated blood. The lack of oxygen in the blood causes extra blood to rush to the head, often causing headaches, dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath; it looks and feels like the flu. Other symptoms can include: malaise, insomnia, loss of appetite, fatigue, and decreased coordination.
Most people experience symptoms within the first three days after arrival, and they usually go away by the fourth day.

 If you develop an increasing shortness of breath or a wet cough head to a clinic immediately. These might be signs of a more severe condition called High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), which can be fatal.
Facts & Prevention
- The lack of oxygen causes a mild swelling of the brain, hence the headaches and nausea. Since people's brains shrink as they age, allowing more room for the swelling and thus less pressure, older adults have a lower risk of developing altitude sickness.
- Another new finding in altitude sickness research involves Viagra. The drug, which helps blood move from one place to another, will most likely get FDA approval for use in treating a variation of altitude illness called pulmonary hypertension (an illness is seen mostly in babies born at high altitude according to Bachman).
- Currently, the only drug available to treat altitude sickness is Diamox, which simply makes you urinate more and breathe deeper and faster. Taking Diamox one to two days prior to arrival can prepare the body for higher elevation by increasing your respiration rate. Oxygen, ginkgo biloba (an over-the-counter herb), and rest also helps. Although some form of light activity is better than complete rest because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating symptoms.
- Gradually increasing your elevation (e.g. staying in Denver for a night or two if you’re coming up from sea level) allows your body to acclimate to the elevation easier.
- Physical conditioning at sea level does not help; so gradually increase your activity.
- Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and narcotics, which can decrease respiration and make symptoms worse.

- Avoid caffeine and limit salt intake your first few days.
- Drink plenty of fluids (2-3 times your typical intake). Urine should be clear to pale yellow.
- Home oxygen relieves symptoms.
- If your symptoms increase over the first couple of days rather than diminish seek medical attention immediately. Altitude sickness symptoms can quickly become life threatening.
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