Altitude Sickness Home Remedies, Acute Mountain Sickness Cures

At very high altitudes above sea level one starts feeling uneasy and sick. This is called Acute Mountain Sickness. In such cases intense workout at high altitudes should be avoided. Life threatening condition High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) can have its effects on skiers, hikers and others who go above 8,000 feet high. Rest for 2-3 days before you resume your journey.

Altitude Sickness Symptoms

Symptoms start appearing 12-24 hrs after arrival and increases during the night.

• Heartbeat increases, and their is shortness of breath accompanied by physical exertion.
• Nausea and giddy feeling.
• Headache
• Power to think and analyze is affected.
• There is sleeplessness and tiredness.

Causes of altitude sickness

• As you climb higher, too fast, the air becomes thinner and you inhale less oxygen per breath than required. This causes altitude sickness. Breathe more deeply to compensate.

Home remedies for Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

1. At high altitudes you feel dehydrated due to deep and fast breathing. So drink maximum water to feel properly hydrated and your urine should be clear. Alcohol causes dehydration so avoid it.
2. Leisurely spend your first day at high altitude. Until you get used to the new heights avoid even moderate exercising.
3. Acetaminophen can be taken to relieve you from headache. Avoid Aspirin, which worsens headaches at high altitudes.
4. Descend a few hundred feet to a lower altitude, for symptoms (sickness) to decrease.

How can one prevent Altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

1. Climb to a new level @ 500 to 1000ft daily, with an occasional day of rest. Plan well for destinations above 8,000ft.
2. People with severe heart and respiratory ailments should avoid covering extreme altitudes.

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