Every time you travel to regions of higher elevation, there is a chance you might feel altitude sickness. This happens as your body is unable to adapt to rapid changes in oxygen levels and air pressure right away. This is really a bad thing to experience when traveling, as being down with altitude sickness can rob you of the valuable time you would spend exploring.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to deal better with altitude sickness when traveling. Check them out below.
Ascend Gradually
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the best ways to deal with altitude sickness is to ascend gradually. CDC recommends not going from low altitude to more than 9,000 feet in one day. If you have a choice, spend one day at an altitude between 8,000 and 9,000 feet before continuing your trip, as this will allow your body to get accustomed to lower oxygen levels.
Don’t Drink Alcohol
If you want to lower the chances of getting down with altitude sickness, then consider giving up alcohol before getting to your destination and 48 after arriving. This will help your body to deal with changes faster.
Double Down on Water and Carbs
Increasing your intake of water and carbs should help you deal with altitude sickness symptoms. The water will keep you hydrated in an environment of low moisture, while carbs require less energy to digest than, let’s say, fats.
Get Doctor’s Advice
Besides all of the above, you should also ask your doctor for an opinion. He can give you further advice and even prescribe some medicine to help you deal with altitude sickness.