Altitude Sickness

“Anyone know how to avoid altitude sickness? There ARE pills you can take but are there home remedies/prevention alternatives?”

“Larry, good question

1. MAJOR Hydration is a key
2. If you begin feeling the effects, REST, O2 if Available, if the symptoms do not resolve in 24 hours...descend until you feel better...you can go up 1000 feet per day over 10,000(10 days for 20,000 feet so to speak) Go slowly, go for carbohydrates avoid Fats, NO ALCHOHOL, Climb high...sleep low.
Hope that helps.”

“Diamox is a common drug used to offset side effects of altitude sickness though some say ginko biloba may help prevent as well.

There should be many threads on this.

All you need to know:
http://www.high-altitude-medicine.com/”

“Have you checked the threads from a TT Search?”

“If you start to feel the effects, drink plenty of water. Dehydration causes thickening of the blood , therefore your heart not only is pumping less oxygen it has to work much harder to do so. then, tend to go half as fast and half as far between rests.”

“I have found that Genseng helped me alot when I was in Colorado a few years ago. I went from Augusta Ga to Breckenridge...which is only 9000 feet...but still, I found that Genseng tea (Korean Red type) helped me handle the O2 needs alot better.....”

“Viagra ... viagra is reported to help with AS”

“REALLY???? I thought is could cause a drop in blood pressure?”

““Viagra ... viagra is reported to help with AS”
Hog On Ice
4:01:05 PM
12/07/06

Hey and if you take it with some iron supplements you won't need a compass.”

“XL - link http://www.webmd.com/content/article/100/105531.htm

bunch of other links if you google "altitude sickness viagra"”

“Hey and if you take it with some iron supplements you won't need a compass.”
lumberzac

"LATER THAT NIGHT"
Wifey: HONEY PLEASE STOP SPINNING AROUND THE ROOM with your willie out AND COME TO BED!!!!!!"


WOW....I knew that aspirin seemed to work...but this is neat.
last edited: 12/07/06 3:14:06 PM”

“Thanks,
I am sort of new to TT so I will check these links and search options.

The only symtom I ever experience is the feeling of nausea. Its like I have a magic number of 11000 ft. At 11,100 ft I feel like barfing then I feel great at 10,900 ft. I have tried Diamox. It works great but I always felt this was "cheating!". I'll try ginko biloba, aspirin, and genseng.”

“Anyone know how to avoid altitude sickness?

what?, nobody's gonna say, don't got into high altitudes?”

“what?, nobody's gonna say, don't got into high altitudes?”


Yes...That IS the best prevention!”

“DIAMOX.......................”

“I second the Gingko Biloba, haven't tried the Genseng, usually several days of acclimation will work. Had a bad case of it last year at only 9000 feet had to descend and barely finished the trip. Took Diamox for the next trip but didn't like the side effects. I have it along just in case for any over 9000 feet treks.”

“Acclimitization, when you start to feel not so good, immediately descend 500ft and wait a day.

Your body will adjust to the oxygen level over one to two days and you can go back up.

Do not go higher after you feel the first effects, and do keep hydrated and rest at a slightly lower altitude.

Drugs will mask symptoms and you can die.

Time - the great healer
last edited: 12/07/06 9:19:58 PM”

“if you are prone to it, take your med!!!!


I was once hikin with a guy who wouldnt admit he was having problems I started getting concerned when he wouldnt eat of drink and was actting all spacy. Long story short, because he wouldnt tell anyone he was having an issue, he had to be carried down the mountian...thank god there were other backpackers around there!”

“RR,
What were the side effects of Diamox?
LB”

“Go on line. Diamox . I have taken this ned before above 12,000 ft with no dide affects, just need to take several days before you go and drink plenty of water as usuall anyway..................easy to get.....................not that costly,,,,,,,,,”

“It affects everyone differently. I had tingling in my hands and feet, dizziness and a weird almost narcoleptic type feeling, like I could just sit down and go to sleep anywhere.
The one trip I took with it the trail edged into the side of a cliff so the fall line was a little severe. Didn't like feeling that way on a trail like that.
The side effects didn't last the whole trip, but were annoying enough that it compromised my enjoyment of the journey.

Later, I took a trip to the High Uintas in Utah and intentionally slept the first night on the road at 7500, then at the TH hiked in a mile, stayed at 8800, then the next night at 10,800. The rest of the trip was around 11-12K and I had no difficulties, even with steep inclines under a full load. No meds for that trip and I had a great time.”

“Bookmarked.

Another reason to love TT.”