How To Avoid Altitude Sickness

If you have ever had altitude sickness then you know just how terrible it can be

. Even worse after you have had it once you might begin to develop an anxiety of altitude that can make the condition even more debilitating. Altitude sickness can occur during air travel, mountain climbing, skiing and more.

As you travel higher into the atmosphere the air keeps getting thinner and has less oxygen available. The air actually remains constant the only thing that changes is the barometric pressure. This change makes it hard to inhale enough oxygen molecules. The inability for us to inhale the right amount of oxygen is what causes altitude sickness.

If the body is not getting the proper amount of oxygen then it cannot continue to work properly. As you ascend a mountain you might notice that it is harder to breathe and your energy levels decline. Altitude sickness not only occurs at high altitudes but can cause people to have difficulties at lower altitudes, as well.

Altitude sickness happens most often when a person goes from a low altitude to a high one too quickly. Changing altitude too quickly does not give your body enough time to adjust. All of a sudden, there is not enough oxygen going to the muscles and brain. When this happens your lungs and heart have to work much harder. This causes your body to require even more oxygen. Your breathing and heartbeat speed up and your body is working extra hard to deal with the low supply of oxygen.

All of the changes in the body happening at once cause more serious problems to occur. High altitude pulmonary edema can happen when there is an accumulation of fluid in your lungs and high altitude cerebral edema is an accumulation of fluid in the brain.

The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to try and ascend slowly so that your body has time to adapt to the changes. If you are in good physical shape you are no less likely to develop altitude sickness than the next person. Try to avoid foods that are high in salt and stay away from alcohol when you are climbing. Eating small meals frequently is also a good idea.

If you have already developed altitude sickness then be sure to get plenty of rest for a couple days. Drink plenty of water and don't be afraid to try some painkillers.

Natural medicine offers several great solutions to help treat altitude sickness. Products containing Pulsatilla vulgaris, zingiber officinalis, cocculus and mentha piperita are all helpful for treating altitude sickness. They help stop your shortness of breath and speed up your recovery. Check with your doctor or naturopath to find out what treatment plan is best for you.

by: Dee Braun

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