Don’t feel so great? It might be the altitude.
If you’re making a trip up into the mountains, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is your body’s reaction to the elevation. If you aren’t planning ahead, you might ruin your whole trip. Hanging out in the high country can have some pretty awful effects on your body, but only if you’re not prepared. Read on to learn more about Altitude Sickness and how you can prevent it from happening.
Altitude Sickness strikes in some devastating ways and the symptoms can linger for your entire vacation. How do you know if you have Altitude Sickness? If you are experiencing headache, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, or sleep disorders, you might have Altitude Sickness. Some other symptoms can include nose bleeds, swelling of the hands, feet, and face, rapid pulse, and loss of consciousness. In extreme cases, Altitude Sickness can even be fatal.
Altitude sickness is caused from lack of oxygen. The idea that there is less oxygen at a higher altitude is only partially correct. In fact, the oxygen levels are the same but the air pressure is less. Less air pressure causes you to breathe less oxygen particles. At higher altitude, your lungs must breathe faster and your heart must beat faster to keep the same oxygen levels. When this doesn’t occur, you get Altitude Sickness.
There are some factors which could contribute to your oxygen starved discomfort. Delicious Colorado craft beer might be your worst enemy if you’re not from around here. Alcohol can exacerbate the effects of Altitude Sickness on your body. Smoking can have the same effect. The exertion caused from playing in the mountains can make you feel even worse.
So what can you do to be prepared? Thankfully, this is an easy answer. Drink water. Drinking water on the way up the mountain is important. Drinking water days before your trip is even more important. The more hydrated you are before ascending, the better. Dr. Eric Caplan, M.D. of Colorado Springs Asthma and Allergy Clinic recommends becoming very hydrated early and staying hydrated for the duration of your stay. Drink plenty of water at least one full day before going up and just don’t stop until you descend. Taking over the counter pain relievers will also help with any headaches you may experience.
Have you experienced Altitude Sickness or know someone who has? Tell us about your story in our comments section! And when you ride with Rocky Mountain Ride, please be sure to take the complementary water we offer you. We want all our guests to feel great and have a great time. Let’s make your Colorado experience memorable for the right reasons!
Ride On,
Brittany Merchant
Mountain Enthusiast/ Owner and Founder of Rocky Mountain Ride
