High - Altitude Sickness
What causes high-altitude sickness?
The higher you climb above sea level, the less oxygen there is in the air. The oxygen level becomes very low at altitudes above 8,000 feet. This causes problems for people who normally live at lower altitudes because their bodies aren't used to working on so little oxygen. If you stay at a high altitude for a long time, your body gets used to the low oxygen level, and you don't get sick from it.
The following are the three types of high-altitude illness:
- Acute mountain sickness
- High-altitude pulmonary edema (also called HAPE), which affects the lungs
- High-altitude cerebral edema (also called HACE), which affects the brain
These illnesses can be serious, but they can also be prevented.
How can I prevent high-altitude sickness
- Climb slowly in high place:
When you walking in mountain (high altitude) your body will begin adjusting right away to the lower amount of oxygen in the air, but it takes several days for your body to adjust completely. If you're healthy, you can probably safely go from sea level to an altitude of 8,000 feet in a few days. But when you reach an altitude above 8,000 feet, don't go up faster than 1,000 feet per day. The closer you live to sea level, the more time your body will need to get used to a high altitude. Plan your trip so your body has time to get used to the high altitude before you start your physical activity.
- Sleep at an altitude that is lower than the altitude you are at during the day.
If you’re in trekking when you will reach your destination, you will have tea coffee and rest then better to go higher place then back to lower your camp area, than sleep. It is help your body adjusting the high altitude.
How do I know if I'm getting high-altitude illness?
If you are feeling headache, lightheadedness, weakness, trouble sleeping and an upset stomach. If you have these symptoms, stop going up or go back down to a lower altitude until your symptoms go away. More if you can’t walk in a straight line, difficulty breathing, coughing and confusion. if you have this kind of symptoms you have high-altitude sickness.
What should I do if I get high-altitude illness?
If you have above the symptoms best treatment of high-altitude sickness (illnesses) go down to right away. If you have normal symptoms you may stay at same altitude and have a rest until your body adjust.
If you have more symptoms go down next village right now until your symptoms go away completely. Don't ignore signs of high-altitude illness. People can die of this if they don't recognize the signs or if they don't believe their illness is caused by the high altitude. Use acetazolamide (Diamox) and Nifedipine(Procardia).high altitude medicines. When your taking medicines do not try to go up, I will suggestion to go down.
Children can adjust in high altitude ?
It is safe for children to go to the high altitude, but it is hard to adjusting low oxygen level in high mountain level. Child may not be able to recognize symptoms of high-altitude sickness, so parents and other adults must carefully watch for any sign of high-altitude illness of children.
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