ALTITUDE SICKNESS:

Altitude Sickness occurs when you cannot get enough oxygen from the air at high altitudes.  This causes symptoms such as a headache and not feeling like eating.  It happens most often when people who are not used to high altitudes go quickly from lower altitudes to 8000ft or higher.  For example, you may get a headache when you drive over a high mountain pass, hike to a high altitude, or arrive at a mountain resort.

Mild altitude sickness is common.  In the United States, more than 20% of people visiting the western mountains have it.  Experts do not know who will get it and who will not.  Your age, being male or female, and how physically fit you are play no role in whether you get altitude sickness.u

What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of altitude sickness include:
1.  Having a headache.  The headache is usally throbbing.  It gets worse during the night and when you wake up.
2.  Not feeling like eating.
3.  Feeling sick to your stomach.  You may vomit.
4.  Feeling weak or lazy.  In severe cases, you do not have the energy to eat, dress yourself, or do anything.
5.  Waking up during the night and not sleeping well.
6.  Feeling dizzy.

Your symptoms may be mild to severe.  They may not start until a day after you have been at a high altitude.  Altitude sickness can affect your lungs and brain.  When this happens, symptoms include being confused, not being able to walk straight, feeling faint, and having blue or gray lips or fingernails.  When you breathe, you may hear a sound like a paper bag being crumpled.  These symptoms mean the condition is severe.  It may be deadly.

How is it treated?
The best treatment for altitude sickness is to go to a lower altitude.  But if you have mild symptoms, you may be able to stay at that altitude and let your body get used to it.  Symptoms often occur if you have just arrived at a mountain resort from a lower altitude.

If you stay at a high altitude, rest.  You can explore the area, but take it easy.  Limit any walking or activity.  Drink plenty of water, but do not drink alcohol.  Do not go to a higher altitude until your symptoms go away.  This may take from 12 hours to 3 or 4 days.

For the headache, you can take an over-the-counter medicine, such as Tylenol, Advil, Motrin or Aleve.  You may also use medicine to help with being sick to your stomach or other symptoms.

A doctor can give you Diamox.  This speeds up how fast your body gets used to the higher altitude.  You may also be able to use oxygen.

Go to a lower altitude if your symptoms are moderate to severe, they get worse, or medicine or oxygen treatment does not help.  Go down at least 1500ft.  Go to a lower altitude as fast as you can or get emergency help if someone with you has severe symptoms such as being confused or not being able to walk straight.  Go with the person.  Never let someone with severe altitude sickness go down alone.

Can I prevent altitude sickness?
You may be able to prevent altitude sickness by taking your time when you go to high altitudes, using medicine in advance, and eating certain foods.

If you go to altitudes higher than 8000ft, try to spend a night at a medium altitude before going higher.  For example, spend the night in Denver before going to the Rocky Mountains. 

Avoid large meals, alcohol, and being very active after you arrive into a high-altitude city.  Rest, and drink plenty of liquids.  If you have symptoms, do not go higher until they have gone away.

Sleep at an altitude that is lower than the altitude you were at during the day.  For example, if you ski at 9500ft during the day, sleep the night before and the night after at 8000ft.  "Climb high, sleep low" is standard practice for those who spend time at high altitudes.

Eat a lot of carbohydrates.  This includes breads, cereals, grains, and pasta.

Taken from WebMD - Better Information. Better Health