Comments on: High Altitude Sickness or Dehydration?

By: GG (Gossip Girl)

GG (Gossip Girl) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:53:13 +0000

@Anne_Marie: Thanks for the additional tip. I was amazed when I headed to a higher altitude (10,000-12,000 feet) because I was so fit in comparison to others who lived at lower altitudes. I’ve never experienced it myself but run into visitors all the time that do.

By: Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:29:24 +0000

Even coming up to just over a mile here in the Denver area can be exhausting for “low landers,” especially for the elderly. So taking it easy, keeping hydrated and keeping the alcohol consumption low is always advised. And don’t forget the sunscreen. You burn more easily at higher elevations, too.

By: GG (Gossip Girl)

GG (Gossip Girl) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:33:03 +0000

@Binary: I am sure you will be letting us know about your big trip in May–at least I hope so! The problem up here has not been so much a problem with asthma (something I face periodically) but the actual oxygen content. It is fatiguing and requires slowing down a bit but breath has not been the issue–just like Cricket said, the dry air is easier to deal with which is why a ton of people used to head to the desert if they suffered from asthma–we have dry air–a plus. Hard on the skin but ultimately better than sea air and smog.
@Cricket: Agreed, you should always get professional help for problems at high altitude which is why I included two resources for visitors.

By: Cricket

Cricket — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:36:28 +0000

There are medictions they can give you at the hospital for altitude sickness. My advice to anyone is not to try to treat these things yourself if you are having problems. It is best to be seen by a professional…better to be safe than sorry.

For my asthma problems, I find it easier to breathe at altitude where it is a drier environment, than down below when it is humid.

By: Binary Blonde

Binary Blonde — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:33:34 +0000

This subject really scares me as I have asthma and sometimes have trouble breathing at sea level, let alone high altitudes. Oddly enough, though, when I visited Big Bear last year (Jan. 2007), we went hiking all over and I had very little problems. I did have to stop to catch my breath every so often, but other than that I was fine. Do you think it was because I only stayed one night and altitude sickness strikes at day 2 or 3?

Also, thanks for the info about hydration - I will keep that in mind for my trek to Machu Picchu in May.