Headaches From Altitude Sickness: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

ALTITUDE SICKNESS AS A CAUSE OF HEADACHES

Are you looking forward to that nice ski trip to Colorado? If you visit a high-altitude destination, you may develop altitude mountain sickness (AMS) or high-altitude illness (HAI). This typically occurs about 8-thousand feet above sea level (although some people get it as low as 500 feet).  While many other disturbing and severe symptoms can occur at high altitudes, a headache is a classic first symptom of altitude sickness.

Altitude and Illness: Always a Possibility

The reason for this is not entirely known. However, lower oxygen levels in your body can cause headaches. The fact that there is less oxygen in the air at higher altitudes can lead to headaches. Increased intracranial (brain) pressure at higher altitudes may also contribute to headaches.

These headaches occur hours to days after a person ascends to greater heights and are characterized by intense throbbing, global (all over the head), and/or frontal (in the forehead area). They are often accompanied by a whole host of other physical problems - some of which can be severe.

​Headaches From Altitude Sickness: Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment -

Treating the Potential Cause

First, if you are traveling to a high-altitude area, be especially careful if you have risk factors like diabetes, lung conditions, or heart disease. Discuss your trip with a healthcare provider before going. Even if you are in great shape and training for months before your trip, you can still develop altitude problems.

The ideal approach to this is to ascend slowly, allowing your body to adjust as the altitude increases.

Symptomatic Treatment 

Over-the-Counter: 

Herbal Tea

• NSAIDS: Ibuprofen (common: Motrin, Advil) may help

​​Considered Natural Remedies:

• Rhodiola 

• Ginkgo biloba

• Coca leaves

Prescription medications

• If over-the-counter medications are not effective, prescriptive medications like acetazolamide (Diamox) or dexamethasone can be used (these can be used for prophylaxis against AIMS as well)

• Supplemental oxygen is usually helpful.

Preventive Approach

• Get plenty of sleep and rest.

• Ascend no more than 1000 to 2000 feet per day.

• Don’t fly into a high-altitude area.

• Start to descend if you start feeling ill with no relief in sight.

• ​Decrease alcohol intake​

• ​Supplement with electrolytes (sports drinks)

• ​Avoid too much sunlight and excessive heat.

Hopefully, the information above, Headaches From Altitude Sickness: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention, has helped you prepare for your trip ahead. ​If you are planning to visit a high-altitude area, be prepared. The American Academy of Family Physicians has excellent information about AIMS if you want to know more.

For General Support and Other Treatments for Headaches, See This LINK