Ascending from lower to higher elevations slowly helps avoid ill effects from altitude.
When you travel or move to a different altitude, a process of acclimatization must occur in the body. Adaptations occur in significant altitude changes from either low to high or high to low. Going from lower to higher elevations is when physiologic changes can have negative effects and even turn into serious illness. The body will adapt to changes in altitude better with a few precautions.
Physiologic Changes
When going from lower to higher altitude, your body must deal with less partial pressure from oxygen. This transition results in faster breathing, increased lung pressure due to more blood flow, greater numbers of red blood cells, and hemoglobin releasing more oxygen to the body. Some of these changes start occurring right away; your heart's stroke volume decreases and heart rate increases. Others take weeks and even months to have acclimatization happen, such as more hemoglobin production. In fact, your body will never have the same endurance at high altitude that it does at sea level, according to the Sports Fitness Advisor website.
Physical Symptoms
As the altitude you are at increases, you may experience symptoms such as headache, fatigue, impaired thinking, insomnia or difficulty staying asleep, blurry vision, loss of appetite, dizziness, feeling sick to your stomach and generally not feeling well. At the end of the day and into the evening, symptoms tend to worsen. When going from high altitude to low altitude, you will likely not notice any symptoms. Some individuals may get headaches until adaptation occurs.
Altitude Sickness Prevention
When you are hiking up a mountain, you need to ascend slowly with frequent breaks. Stay well hydrated and pay attention to any signs of dehydration. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol or any type of diuretic medications that cause fluid loss. Eat lots of complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain breads, energy bars and fruit. Be ready to go back down if you experience symptoms that get worse. Hiking high but then coming back down to sleep is advised.
Precautions
When traveling to higher altitudes by car or plane, you may want to have medications that help with symptoms of high altitude sickness. These include acetazolamide and dexamethasone. The latter requires a prescription. Keep in mind that these treat symptoms, but only decreasing altitude will cure altitude sickness. Also, plan your trip so that you increase altitude in increments of no more than a few thousand feet per day. Rest for the night and then add some more elevation the next day.
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