Getting high when you travel, safely

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Getting high when you travel can be quite adventurous, and in fact it may be the main reason why you head to a destination. Travelers should not be afraid of taking things to the next level, but must also remember a few key points on their trip. Altitude sickness
can be deadly and a little pre-travel preparation can keep you safe.

Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can really slow
down your trip and also be a potential killer. A bit of knowledge and prior to leaving can mean the difference between a very pleasurable and
adventurous trip and a headache filled excursion that could
potentially end with a medical evacuation from the mountain.

Perhaps the most
important tip is to follow the "golden rule of mountain
travel": Illness and headache at altitude should be considered altitude
sickness until proven otherwise. Basically, if someone is sick at altitude,
treat them for altitude sickness first!

WorldNomads.com’s roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD discusses altitude sickness and the precautions to take so that high times don’t ruin your trip.

How
high is high?

To get a better idea of altitude sickness, a traveler should understand
"how high is high?". Altitude is generally divided into the following
levels:



High altitude ranges from 1500 to 3000 meters (4950 to 11,500 feet). A traveler
headed to the 1500-3000 meter level will typically experience decreased
exercise performance and increased breathing rates. Altitude sickness is more
common above 2500 meters (8200 feet).



Very high altitude ranges from 3500 to 5500 meters (11,500 to 18,050 feet).
Severe altitude sickness is more common at this altitude, as well as hypoxia.



Extreme altitude is above 5500 meters (18,050 feet). Acclimatization to this
altitude is impossible and rapid ascent to this altitude is very dangerous.



Travelers headed to high altitude need to also be aware of a few medical terms
and conditions that they might encounter themselves or in their traveling
companions.



Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS



is the broad term for altitude sickness. Symptoms of AMS include headache (often
throbbing, worse when bending over), nausea/vomiting, fatigue and a general
feeling of a "hangover".



High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)



is a life threatening emergency that has symptoms of ataxia (walking in a
stumbling manner) and changes in mental status such as confusion or lethargy.
This is literally swelling of the brain. Symptoms of AMS are also usually
present. This is a medical emergency!



High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)



is a life threatening emergency with symptoms of cough (wet or dry), difficulty
breathing with mild exertion and all the symptoms of AMS. Fluid collects in the
patient’s lungs. This is a medical emergency!

Treatment of AMS, HACE and HAPE

The definitive treatment for all mountain sickness is
descent.

Treatment of high altitude sickness of all kinds centers around prompt
recognition of the symptoms and thinking that altitude could be the cause of
the illness. First and foremost, upon beginning to feel ill when at altitude, a
person should not ascend any higher!

Some experts even advise descending
500-1000 meters for 24 hours to allow the body to acclimatize more slowly.
Medical treatment of more severe forms of altitude sickness such as HACE and
HAPE should be done by a person skilled in altitude medicine. A traveler who
suspects HACE or HAPE should immediately descend to lower altitude and seek
advanced medical care.? Some medications discussed below may aid in the treatment, but descent
is the best medicine.

Portable hyperbaric chambers known as Gamow bags can be
used to simulate a lower altitude environment in emergencies and should be used
only while preparing to evacuate the patient to a lower level, not as a substitute
to descent.

Prevention of AMS

Travelers looking to prevent altitude sickness should try to have a slow and
gradual ascent to altitude. Some experts advise not climbing more than
1500-2000 meters in a 24 hour period, when traveling above 2500 meters. This
gives the body a chance to acclimatize to the new altitude and an opportunity
to observe people for symptoms of AMS. This slow and gradual ascent is easier
when travelers are hiking. Modern day travel methods such as car travel and
airlines that land in cities such as Lhasa, Tibet and Cusco, Peru can
immediately put a traveler at high altitude without much time to acclimatize. A
savvy traveler will be already on the look-out for AMS symptoms if traveling to
high-attitude without much of a chance to acclimatize.

Given that a slow and gradual ascent is not always possible, a few methods can
help adjust the body to the shock of suddenly being at high altitude. Some
evidence supports mild exercise the day of arrival such as a short walk, to aid
with acclimatization. Heavy exercise the day of arrival could be disastrous.

Avoidance of alcohol or sedatives which can mask the symptoms of AMS should be
for the first few days of altitude, as well. Adequate hydration should also be
stressed.

Medicine for Altitude

Certain medications can help prevent and even treat AMS. Perhaps the most
commonly used medication is called acetazolamide. This medication is used to
both prevent and treat symptoms of AMS. Often taken as a 125mg tablet, twice
per day, Acetazolamide is very effective at preventing AMS symptoms. This
medication has the potential to cause allergic reactions in those people with a
history of sulfa allergies and can change the way some foods or drinks taste,
especially carbonated beverages. Overall, the medication is very well tolerated
and is a viable option for travelers looking to take precautions in preventing
AMS. This medicine should be started 24 hours before one ascends and taken
while at altitude and for 48 hours after descent.

Dexamethasone is a steroid that can be used as a prophylactic medicine for
those people unable to tolerate acetazolamide. This medicine is best used as
treatment but is still an option.

Ginko Biloba has received much attention as a
possible prophylactic AMS drug but the medical literature is scant. Some
research shows promise but acetazolamide is still considered superior.

Lastly,
the use of Cocoa leaves or other products that contain this plant material
should be discouraged by travelers. While having many other applications,
decent prevention of AMS symptoms is not one of them. Perhaps most dangerous is
the "false sense of security" that one might have by taking cocoa
leaf products and ignoring symptoms of AMS believing they are protected.

Overall, many travelers go to altitude each day and return without problems.
Keeping an eye out for symptoms of altitude sickness in yourself and others
around you should be second nature. When traveling in the mountains, follow the golden rule of treating any headache or illness at altitude as altitude sickness until proven otherwise. Discuss your travel plans and more
importantly your ascent rate with your travel doctor in advance and see if
using any prophylactic medications might be right for your trip.

Read more stories from WorldNomads.com to help keep you travelling safely. WorldNomads.com – an essential part of every adventurous traveller’s journey.

Have you ever experienced altitude sickness? Share your story.

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