How Can You Treat High Altitude Sickness – Medicines, Home Remedies, and Precaution Tips
Going to the top mountains such asthe Himalayas, the Andes, or the Rockies will be an experience that you will remember forever- fresh air, spectacular scenery, and the sense of freedom. However, as you keep going further, you will be confronted with a new problem, altitude sickness. This is because your body cannot adjust to low oxygen at high altitude. The good news? Through the appropriate medicine of altitude sickness, home remedies, and precaution tips, you can prevent and treat this condition safely.
Keep reading more to know about the symptoms recognition, the most appropriate altitude sickness medicine, natural remedies, and easy precautions that will make your mountain journey a pleasant experience.
Understanding High Altitude Sickness
In case you rise too quickly, your body does not have time to adapt to lower oxygen concentrations. The result is that this causes symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. When unattended, mild mountain sickness may develop further to harmful diseases such as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), which are fatal.
The main thing is to have the symptoms recognized early and to make sure that altitude sickness medication is administered in time.
Also Read: Mountain Sickness – Everything You Need to Know About Elevation Sickness
Medicines for High Altitude Sickness
1. Altitude Sickness Medicine & Pills
The most popular and successful medicine choices for altitude sickness are prescription medicine and over-the-counter medicine that can help your body adapt. These include:
- Acetazolamide (Diamox): A common altitude sickness drug that assists your body in promoting the rate of breathing to enable your body to take in more oxygen. It can be prescribed at a time when the symptoms are still in the offing. It is one of the best-rated altitude sickness medications that are taken by mountaineers and hikers across the globe.
- Dexamethasone: It is an emergency drug against acute mountain sickness, a steroid that lowers brain inflammation. It does not need long-term use but may be life-saving in case the symptoms become worse.
- Ibuprofen or Paracetamol: These are also useful altitude sickness pills that are helpful in relieving a headache ,but they do not cure the condition.
Physicians can also prescribe mountain sickness drugs like nifedipine as HAPE or other procrastinating drugs in the case of complications.
Hint: Before climbing above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) (2500 feet), begin taking the altitude sickness medication a day before the big climb.
Other Helpful Medications
Other than the major options, some of the travelers utilize:
- Iron (where deficient) is a supplement of high altitude medicine that aids in the transportation of oxygen.
- Prescription of elevation sickness symptoms drug,s like anti-nausea medication or antacids.
To summarize, it is safer to use altitude sickness drugs such as Diamox in combination with the recommendation of a physician before hiking the mountain.
Home Remedies for Altitude Sickness
Treatment does not necessarily have to be prescripted. Your body can adapt to several natural practices:
1. Hydration is Essential
At elevations, water is lost by your body at a higher rate. Consume plenty of fluids, i.e., water, electrolyte drinks, and herbal teas, to keep hydrated. Symptoms are aggravated by dehydration.
2. Rest and Graded Ascent
Do not ascend above 300-500 meters a day on levels of 2,500 meters and above. Your body needs time to adapt.
3. Ginger and Natural Teas
Ginger tea would help ease nausea. Warm ginger, honey, and lemon tea is a relaxing homeopathic drink in combination with altitude sickness pills.
4. Light Meals
Consume small and frequent meals consisting of carbohydrates. Fatty or oily food requires more energy to digest, and your body cannot afford it at high altitudes.
Precautions to Prevent Altitude Sickness
It is always good to prevent and not cure. These are some of the savvy tips to take before your mountain trek:
1. Acclimatize Gradually
Gradual progression offers the human body the ideal opportunity to adapt. Spend the night or two in the middle of the altitude.
2. Know Your Limits
Do not strain on your part in the case of persistent headache, severe dizziness, or shortness of breath. Descend and rest.
3. Use the Right Gear
Low-temperature sleeping bags, warm clothing, and oxygen canisters are useful in conserving energy and oxygen in your body.
4. Talk to Your Doctor
Before any high-altitude journey, get a doctor to recommend high altitude medications like high altitude medicine pills or elevation sickness medication that can accommodate your health condition.
Also Read: Best Time to Visit Ladakh: A Seasonal Guide
When to Use Altitude Medication
Early administration of altitude sickness medication is better than late administration:
- Start acetazolamide before climbing.
- Take steroids such as dexamethasone in case symptoms are developing at a rapid rate.
- Medical assistance is advised in case of suspicion of critical conditions such as HAPE or HACE.
Despite the preventive measures and at-home remedies, when the symptoms are still evident despite the use of altitude sickness medication, in most cases, the immediate remedy is to descend, as it may be the most life-saving decision.
Real Traveler Tips
The following are some of the tips trekkers and mountaineers vow:
- Climb slowly. Time is required to transfer oxygen to your lungs and blood.
- Don’t take alcohol; this makes you dehydrated, and it may increase symptoms.
- Sleep was less than the best you had had in the day.
- Report your symptoms to your group – early diagnosis is life-saving.
Conclusion
The sickness of high altitude is a severe and controllable condition. Through appropriate altitude sickness drugs, natural remedies such as hydration and rest, and clever precaution measures, you are likely to mitigate the risk and experience the wonderful panorama of mountains. It is best to be ready in advance, and to take care of yourself – the first point on any trip to the mountains is your safety.