If you develop severe altitude sickness, it is important that you climb down as quickly as possible. You may need to continue taking this medication while staying at the high altitude to control your symptoms. Continue taking it while you are climbing and for at least 48 hours after you have reached your final altitude. To prevent altitude sickness, start taking acetazolamide 1 to 2 days before you start to climb.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Drink plenty of fluids unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Doing so can destroy the long action of the drug and may increase side effects.Īcetazolamide may be taken with or without food. Do not open, break, or chew the capsules. If you are taking the long-acting capsules, take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually 1 or 2 times daily. Click Here for Dr.If you are taking the tablets, take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually 1 to 4 times daily.Her goal is to keep patients in their best possible health to enjoy life, which means addressing diet, exercise habits, and mental health. Longenecker focuses on preventative medicine. However, you can make your trip more pleasant by gradually increasing your elevation and activity level, maintaining good hydration, avoiding alcohol, and seeking immediate medical attention if you develop concerning symptoms.Īs a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, Dr.
Traveling to Colorado and enjoying the mountains can be great fun. If you develop symptoms concerning HAPE or HACE, seek emergency medical assistance. In addition, hydrating and taking headache medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be helpful for mild headaches. Rest and moving to a lower altitude are the best treatments for developing AMS symptoms. If you are predisposed to altitude sickness or are ascending to altitude rapidly and exerting yourself vigorously, ask your doctor for preventive medications such as acetazolamide (the brand name is “Diamox”). Stay well-hydrated and avoid consuming alcohol for the first few days at altitude.Increase your physical exertion gradually as you go higher in elevation.Gradual increase in elevation over several days allows the body to acclimate Reduce risk by ascending slowly to higher altitudes.
Treatment and PreventionĪ common question from patients is how they can prevent altitude sickness. HACE is an emergency requiring immediate descent to a lower altitude and emergency medical care. In addition to AMS symptoms, one may experience profound fatigue, weakness, inability to walk with a normal gait, lack of concentration, confusion, and delirium. The third category of altitude sickness is high altitude cerebral edema, also known as “HACE.” With HACE, one develops swelling of the brain’s tissues, usually 24 to 72 hours after ascending to altitude. HAPE is an urgent medical problem requiring immediate descent to a lower altitude and seeking medical care. In addition to AMS symptoms, one may experience severe coughing, shortness of breath that is out of proportion to exertion level, and a fullness sensation in the chest. The second category is high altitude pulmonary edema, also known as “HAPE.” With HAPE, one develops fluid in the lungs, usually 24 to 72 hours after ascending to altitude. The duration of these symptoms generally is 24 to 48 hours and will usually improve if one does not ascend any higher. Common symptoms include headache, fatigue or exhaustion, lightheadedness, loss of appetite, insomnia or restless sleeping, and nausea. The first, and by far most common, is acute mountain sickness or AMS, typically occurring within 1 to 24 hours of ascending to altitude. Three Types of Altitude SicknessĪltitude sickness is divided into three categories that may coexist. If you travel to a higher elevation without letting your body adjust to the new altitude, you may experience altitude sickness.
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