Can I get altitude sickness at only 7200 feet? Are there any remedies that really work?
Answer:
You can most definitely get altitude sickness at 7200. I moved to Cheyenne from Texas, and the altitude began to give me problems when I was driving through Denver (about 5000).
In general, the only thing you can really do is go to a lower altitude or give your body some time to get use to the altitude which can sometimes take up to a week. I've also heard that it helps to eat lots of carbs (pastas, breads, etc). What worked for me was just resting as if I had the flu.
Since your symptoms are so severe, I would see a doctor. There are medications a doctor can prescribe you to get your body use to the altitude quicker than it would naturally. The webMD link I listed under sources names some of the brands.
After the major symptoms go away, still take it easy. It's very easy to get out of breath because the air is thinner than at 650ft.
For the nosebleeds, if you can at night use a nasal saline solution like Simply Saline or put some vaseline up your nose. The humidity here is a lot lower than the east coast, and that is more than likely the culprit of your nose bleeds.
On a side note: I've also heard of people getting reverse altitude sickness. I have had friends & family visit me here who weren't affected by the altitude at all. When they went back home they experienced some altitude-sickness symptoms.
Best of luck to you. I hope the altitude doesn't damper your trip too badly. Hang in there. I promise it will get better.
It actually is common to get it at that altitude. Some people get it at even lower altitudes. It's becaue of the pressure difference in the air. Because your body was used to the atmospheric pressure at a certain altitude and all of a sudden you moved to a different pressure zone your bodies internal pressure is being thrown off especially in your head. Th pressure inside is is higher than the pressure outside so it causes your head to want to release pressure. i.e. headaches and nosebleeds. Doctors can provide you with medication that will help you while your body adjusts.
Ginger tea. 2 tablespoons in boiling water, make sure that the ginger is ground.
Hmm, I think it's weird that you easily felt the high altitude sickness! But from your sympthom, I think you did! Yeah, I encountered the same feeling when I was on the road from Lima to Cuzco but it's 12000ft. when I felt nausea and headache a bit. All, I did was moving slowly, breath deeply(but your autonomous system will provide that for you-you will breath frequently and fast heart rate can occure), then I drank lots of water(just to let water metabolite to be oxygen so it can prevent acidosis!) But if you didn't get better, just quickly go to lower place or take diamox(drug for treatment high altitude!). Anyway, the best suggestion if you're heading to the high mountain zone, you should acclimatize before - like slowly go up to the mountain or try to stay in the higher place for awhile.
Yes, ginger can help with the nausea. The most potent is freshly grated, or a tincture (liquid extract.)
Kelley
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