HOW HIGH CAN YOU GO?
If you travel to high up a mountain you are bound to experience altitude sickness also referred to as acute mountain sickness (AMS), altitude illness, hypobaropathy, or soroche. If you are exposed for a prolonged period of time this will lead to more severe symptoms called Monges disease. This is caused by severe exposure to low pressure of oxygen at high altitudes. The amount of oxygen you need to maintain mental and physical alertness decreases above 10,000 feet or 3,050 meters. Altitude sickness begins around 2,400 metres or approximately 8,000 feet. If you do not lower your altitude, you will begin to develop severe symptoms such as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral oedema (HACE).
Fluid in the lungs is known as Pulmonary edema:
- Persistent dry cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath even when resting
- Fluid in the lungs known as pulmonary edema
- Swelling of the brain known as Cerebral edema:
- headache that does not respond to pain medication
- Increased vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
Swelling of the Brain is known as Cerebral edema:
- Headache persists despite use of medicine.
- Increase vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
Signs and Symptoms:
- Headache
- Feeling of pins and needle
- Shortness of breath
- Lack of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
- Fatigue or weakness
- Dizzy and light headed
- Constant fast pulse
- Insomnia
- Shortness of breath when doing basic activities
- Drowsiness
- Swelling of hands, feet, and face known as Peripheral edema
Solutions:
Altitude sickness can be prevented by not ascending a mountain too quickly. If you or someone around you begins to show symptoms, simply lower your altitude.
Hydrate, this will help with acclimatisation but do not over hydrate this has no benefits and can cause hyponatremia.
Hyponatremia: an electrolyte disturbance which impacts your blood salt levels. This can lead to sever complications such as cerebral adema.
Symptoms include: Typical nausea, vomiting, headache and malaise. If the situation is not dealt with quickly confusion, reduced reflexes, convulsions or coma may occur.
