How to Prevent Altitude Illness

Any time you rapidly increase altitude above 8,000 feet, whether in a car, on a trail or while mountain climbing, you run the risk of getting altitude sickness. The key to prevention is proper acclimatization, the process in which your body undergoes physiological changes to adapt to the decreasing oxygen supply at higher altitudes.

Instructions

• 1

  Ascend slowly to give your body time to adjust gradually to the lower oxygen concentration in the air. A good rule of thumb when hiking is to ascend no more than 1,500 ft. per day, with plenty of rest in between.

• 2

  Drink water as you climb, to maintain proper hydration.

• 3

  Fill up on carbohydrates, with only enough proteins and fats to meet essential nutritional needs.

• 4

  Take it easy when first reaching higher altitudes. Overexertion can make you more susceptible to acute mountain sickness.

• 5

  Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which cause dehydration, and smoking and sedatives.

• 6

  Ask your doctor about medication such as acetazolamide which can help your body acclimatize. Some research suggests that ginkgo biloba can help protect the body against altitude sickness.