Signs of Altitude Sickness When Hiking High Mountains

With a background as a podiatric surgeon, Dr. Deo Rampertab has performed surgeries for a wide range of foot and ankle issues. With a passion for long distance hiking and climbing, Dr. Deo Rampertab has climbed several US mountains higher than 14,000 feet. 

High altitude hiking carries with it a number of risks that it pays to be aware of, including high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), and acute mountain sickness (AMS). 

The latter is the mildest type of altitude sickness and is not dissimilar to a hangover with its symptoms of nausea, headache, and general exhaustion. Unfortunately, AMS can be a gateway to more serious issues if steps such as drinking more liquids and eating high carb and sugary snacks on the trail are not taken. 

HAPE involves liquids seeping into the lungs and a sense of having had the wind knocked out. With one symptom involving coughing up a frothy substance, HAPE provides a clear message to descend down to a lower altitude. Even more serious, HACE has symptoms of disorientation and slurred speech, and is an indication that an immediate descent needs to be effected. 

In addition to training through hikes at the highest possible altitude locally before an extended trek in the mountains, it makes sense to bring along medications such as Diamox and ibuprofen, as well as cough drops in case altitude sickness symptoms should appear.