Traveling to high altitudes can be both enjoyable and challenging....as you go higher, the air pressure and oxygen levels drop....your body can handle these changes, but it takes time to adapt....if you go to high altitudes too quickly, you will develop "Altitude Sickness" with symptoms ranging from very mild to severe sunlight and extreme weather.... Another problem with traveling to high altitudes.... In today's article of GCORP LLC magazine, we talk about ways to maintain health when traveling to high altitudes... Stay with us until the end of this article.

What is altitude sickness?

At altitude, the air pressure is lower and less oxygen is available to you when you breathe.... The body needs oxygen to function properly.... The body's adaptation process to low oxygen levels takes about three to five days.... If your body does not have enough time to adapt, you will suffer from altitude sickness or mountain sickness... This illness usually occurs at levels above 2500 meters.

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Altitude sickness can develop very quickly and be life-threatening.... There are three types of altitude sickness that we will discuss in the following article.

1... acute mountain disease

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the mildest form of altitude sickness that appears a few hours after exposure to high altitude. The symptoms of AMS are:

• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• fatigue
• dizziness
• Nausea
• vomiting
• Irregular breathing during sleep
• Influenza-like symptoms
Restlessness in children who are not yet able to speak

If you experience symptoms of acute mountain sickness, stop climbing immediately and return to a lower altitude....These symptoms will disappear on their own at a lower altitude....after a few days of rest, you can resume climbing.

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2... Cerebral edema at high altitude

If the symptoms of acute mountain sickness are ignored and you continue to go to higher altitudes, you may develop high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). HACE occurs due to swelling of the brain and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Severe headache
• Inability to walk in a straight line
sleepiness
• Confused

Cerebral edema rarely occurs at high altitudes, but it can lead to death.

3... pulmonary edema at high altitude

The third type of altitude sickness is high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), which is caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs and can be very dangerous... HAPE symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath even when you are resting
• Severe weakness
• Rapid pulse
• Cough
• Blue skin (cyanosis)

Anyone with the above symptoms should be moved to a lower altitude immediately. This person probably needs oxygen therapy.

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What factors increase the risk of altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness can affect anyone, but some factors increase the likelihood of getting it, including:

• Elevation where you live: If you live at a low altitude, you are likely to experience the effects of traveling to high altitudes.
• The speed of going to heights: Sudden change of height has a greater effect on the body.
• Age: Young people are more likely to get altitude sickness, but older people experience more severe symptoms... because older people usually suffer from several chronic diseases.

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How to stay healthy when traveling to high altitudes

Observing the following tips will reduce the risk of altitude sickness and help maintain health in high altitude areas:

1.... ascend gradually

Your body needs at least 2-3 days to adjust to the changes....so if you are not in a rush, plan to climb to higher altitudes gradually and spend a few nights at moderate altitude (below 2500m)...Once you reach more than 2500m, take one rest day for every three to four days of travel and sleep no more than 500m above the previous night.

2.... eat carbohydrates

To stay healthy while traveling to high altitudes, you should follow a light but high-carb and high-calorie diet.. Carbohydrates reduce acute mountain sickness because they require less oxygen to digest than fats.... Whole grains are one of the best foods you can include in your list of foods suitable for high altitudes.

3.... Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks

Avoid drinking coffee, tea and alcohol the day before the trip....don't use them during the trip either.... Because it affects your ability to adapt to the altitude... Cigarettes and sleeping pills also worsen the symptoms of altitude sickness.

4....drink water

One of the best ways to stay healthy while traveling to high altitudes is to drink water.... At high altitudes, the air is dry due to low humidity.... Therefore, you should drink twice as much water as you normally would.

5.... Sleep at a lower altitude

Altitude sickness is usually worse when you sleep...so it's best to go to higher altitudes during the day and then lower to sleep, especially if you plan to climb more than 1,000 feet (about 305 meters) in one day.

6... consult a doctor

If you are planning to travel to a high altitude area, consult your doctor before you go. This is especially important if you have had problems traveling to high altitudes in the past or if you have chronic conditions such as heart disease or lung disease.

It is also wise to identify local medical clinics for emergencies... so that you can see a doctor in time.

7... Ask the doctor's opinion about taking medicine

Medications are available to prevent acute mountain sickness and reduce the time it takes to acclimatize to altitude... Talk to your doctor about which medication is best for you based on your medical history and travel schedule.

Evidence shows that taking acetazolamide two days before the trip and during the trip helps to prevent altitude sickness.. Acetazolamide is a drug that is usually used to treat glaucoma.... You need a doctor's prescription to receive this drug.

It is important to note that even with acetazolamide you can get altitude sickness.... when the symptoms start, the drug does not reduce them.... In this situation, going to lower altitudes is the only effective treatment.

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8.... Be careful of the sun's ultraviolet rays

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is higher at higher altitudes, and UV reflection from snow increases the risk of sunburn... To protect yourself, you should:

• Wear clothes that cover your skin and prevent UV from reaching it.
• You may need to add a face mask or cap (storm cap) to your health checklist for traveling to high altitudes.. These equipment will protect your face from the sun and cold.
• Use a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30 and protects you from various types of ultraviolet rays (UVA, UVB, and UVC).
• Protect your exposed skin such as lips, ears and nose with appropriate sunscreen.
• Use quality sunglasses to keep your eyes healthy.

9.... Protect from the cold

Due to the low temperature and lack of oxygen, frostbite is very common at high altitudes...If you have poor circulation, the chances of this problem increase....To stay healthy when traveling to high altitudes, you should:

• Wear appropriate clothing for cold weather, such as gloves, hats, socks, and boots.
• Use a face mask or cap to protect your face at very high altitudes.
• Keep your hands and feet dry... immediately change wet socks and gloves.
• Use safety glasses to protect your eyes at very high altitudes.

Frequently Asked Questions

travel to high altitudes?.. travel to high altitudes consult your doctor.... Those with sickle cell disease or pulmonary hypertension should not go to very high altitudes..

A final word on staying healthy when traveling to high altitudes

Predicting the body's reaction to altitude is difficult because different people are different. The best way to stay healthy when traveling to high altitudes is not to climb too fast and stick to the tips we mentioned in this article.

If you suffer from heart disease, lung disease, or any other chronic disease, be sure to consult your doctor before traveling....These diseases can lead to serious complications at high altitudes... Regardless of whether you live in the city or the countryside, you can consult with the best experts about the possible dangers of traveling to very high altitudes through the website GCORP LLC And talk about ways to strengthen your immune system..

Sources: healthline, fitfortravel.nhs, cdc