Here's How To Prevent Altitude Sickness While Mountain Hiking

Altitude sickness, also called acute mountain sickness, occurs when body is unable to adapt to a low-pressure, low-oxygen environment, usually at altitudes about 8,000 feet above sea level. This can cause breathing problems and many other symptoms that can range from very mild to life-threatening. These problems can be avoided with taking caution while mountain hiking.

At higher altitudes, the oxygen level decreases and the pressure in the air increases. If you climb too fast, your body doesn't have time to adjust with the less oxygen-rich air found at higher altitudes. You soon get tired and are forced to breathe more rapidly. It can cause hangover-like symptoms – dizziness, headache and vomiting.

The sickness can be precautioned by:

More calorie and energy requirement: Due to low oxygen, low temperature, we need more calories to maintain sufficient energy in the body, because the energy level in the mountains decreases. In this situation we need a diet rich in carbohydrates with high protein and sufficient fat.

Drink plenty of water: Drink plenty of water (three to four liters per day) to prevent dehydration. Dried fruits prove to be useful food. Hikers can increase iron intake six weeks before the journey to avoid fatigue, keeping away from alcohol.

Asthma patients should avoid traveling to high altitudes: Many environmental factors, including allergies, cold air, hypoxia and air density, negatively affect asthma, breathlessness or other symptoms of lung disease. That's why asthama patients should not opt for a mountain hiking or trekking.

Pay attention to breathlessness: If you feel breathless while climbing, then stop climbing in such a position and take rest. When relaxed, continue climbing slowly, if the condition worsens, medical help should be sought as soon as possible.

Avoid taking bath with river water: Bathing in cold river water in low temperature on mountains also causes sudden drop in body temperature. This is called hypothermia. Low body temperature (hypothermia) can cause the heart, nervous system and other organs to go into a state of shock and interrupt their fuctioning.