How can I prevent altitude sickness?

You can prevent altitude sickness by staying hydrated and avoiding diuretics like caffeine and alcohol, especially the first few days at high elevation. If possible, ascend slowly to the higher elevation. Driving up to the mountains is lower risk than flying.

If you have had altitude sickness previously, see your doctor and consider prophylactic medications, such as acetazolamide or steroids.

A gradual ascent is the best way to prevent altitude sickness. As you ascend, your body gets used to the decreasing oxygen. At any moment, there is an ideal altitude where your body is acclimated or balanced. This is usually the last elevation at which you slept. When you continue the ascent, your body can tolerate the lower oxygen levels and will ultimately become balanced to the next level of lower barometric pressure. The trick is to limit your daily upward travel to stay within a zone that your body can handle. If the ascent occurs too quickly, there is not enough oxygen for your body to function properly, and symptoms of altitude sickness occur. If you go too high above what you are prepared for, you will likely get sick. Some people acclimatize quickly and can ascend rapidly, while others acclimatize slowly and have trouble staying well even on a slow ascent. (This answer provided for NATA by the Marist College Athletic Training Education Program)

Patients who ascend or descend slowly are less likely to develop mountain sickness than patients who ascend or descend quickly. This is because the body has time to adjust to altitude changes.

If patients are traveling to areas, such as ski resorts, that are higher than 8,250 feet above sea level, they should spend one to two days at an intermediate elevation.

Patients should not increase the altitude at which they sleep by more than 1,000 feet every 24 hours.

Patients with a history of mountain sickness may receive the prescription drug acetazolamide (Diamox®). This medication may help reduce the risk of mountain sickness because it helps the body adjust to elevation changes.

Patients with a history of mountain sickness, especially HAPE, may receive the prescription drug nifedipine (Procardia®). This drug is normally used to treat high blood pressure. However, it may also help prevent mountain sickness by stabilizing the blood flow to the lungs.

Patients should avoid physical exertion for the first 24 hours of climbing.

Patients should drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcoholic beverages while they are traveling or climbing to high altitudes.

Patients are encouraged to consume a high-carbohydrate diet during climbs.

Patients who are planning on climbing high mountains that are more than 8,000 feet above sea level should bring proper medical equipment, such as a Gamow bag or supplemental oxygen, with them.

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