Tips to Avoid Altitude Sickness

Share with a friend

Despite having attended college in Colorado, years of living in coastal Southern California have acclimated my body to sea level, and at high elevations I suffer from altitude sickness.

I first noticed the effects on my honeymoon.  Needless to say, it wasn't the wedding night my husband had expected.

Every ski trip brings the unplanned effects of altitude sickness with a raging headache that lasts for the first few days.    Building extra time into a trip for recuperation isn't always possible due to budgetary or time limitations.

With TBEX12 (Keystone, Colorado) only 10 days away, here are some tips to avoid altitude sickness.

Pre-Treat

1) Ginkgo not Geiko

Whether or not taking Ginkgo biloba for altitude sickness works seems to depend on who you ask.  Some studies suggest it works, while other studies suggest it doesn't.   The recommendation is to take 120mg of Ginkgo five days to two weeks prior to ascent.

2) Skip the Tylenol, go with Motrin

New studies suggest the newest miracle cure for altitude sickness is four doses of 600mg of Ibuprofen every six hours 24 hours prior to ascent.  Ibuprofen doesn't work for me, but that could be because I take it after symptoms occur vs before.

3) Become Tony Stark

There has been some suggestions that increasing iron consumption two to three weeks prior to ascent will stave off the effects of altitude sickness.  Bring on the steak!

4) Walk like an Eqyptian

Think like a camel; prehydrate prior to your trip.

At Elevation

1) Shop til you drop

Don't drive straight to the mountains.  Let your body acclimate and rest.   Relax and go shopping.

2) Designated Driver

Avoid caffeine and alcohol.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  Forget 8 glasses of water a day, think 3-4 quarts per day.

3) Carb Load

High-carb diet uses less oxygen for metabolism and digestion.  No fear, there are plenty of healthy high-carb choices such as whole grains, fruits (apples, apricots, blueberries to name a few).

4) Team Jacob not Team Edward

Guides in Nepal give garlic soup to climbers suffering from altitude sickness.  The Budapest Bistro in Denver has a Roasted Garlic Tomato and Carrot Soup on the menu.

5) Embrace your inner "gingy"

Ginger helps with nausea.  Consider ginger snaps, ginger chews, ginger tablets, even ginger tea.

If your symptoms get worse or you develop signs of AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness), HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) seek medical attention immediately.