When you are traveling to the mountains, there is a chance that you may suffer from altitude sickness once you reach your destination. When you are at higher altitudes the air is much thinner, which can cause dizziness, headaches and/or nausea. The tips provided here will help you to avoid the symptoms so that you might have a more enjoyable trip.
When you are on your way to the mountains you should make it a point to stop somewhere along the way for a couple of days. Going from flat land directly into the mountains is an easy way to cause altitude sickness. Stopping when you are about halfway there will give your body a chance to adjust to the altitude changes. Take a few days to allow your body to get used to it then continue on to your original destination.
Take some time to rest once you get to your destination. Even if you have already stopped a few times to adjust to the altitude changes, you should still take some time to let your body adapt to the rise in altitude. For the first day that you are up there you should relax and try not to do much of anything. Any plans you had for hiking, camping or any other physical activities should be postponed until the following day.
There is not much that you can do to alleviate the symptoms associated with being at such a high altitude. A lot of rest is one of the only solutions. If you are experiencing headaches, you should take a pain reliever. Other than that, too much cannot be done to make you feel much better. With a combination of pain relievers, rest and time you should feel better.
Even though you may feel a bit different than normal due to the altitude, it does not necessarily mean that you have altitude sickness. You have to watch your symptoms in order to see if they are getting more serious. If time is passing and you are still dizzy, nauseous and having head pain, you may have to cut your trip short.
Leaving the mountains and getting somewhere that has a much lower altitude is sometimes the only way to make symptoms stop. Do not let your symptoms get too bad before you try to make your move. More serious symptoms of altitude sickness include tightness in the chest area, shortness of breath and confusion. If you experience any of those system, leave to get help right away, since there have been severe cases of altitude sickness that have ended in death.
Most of the time the symptoms of altitude sickness make you feel the same as you would if you were suffering from a hangover. Other times the symptoms are much more serious and can become critical if you do not leave the mountains. The information you have just read should help you find ways for your body to adjust so that you can relax and enjoy your trip.
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