Can I get altitude sickness at only 7200 feet? Are there any remedies that reall!
Question:
Can I get altitude sickness at only 7200 feet? Are there any remedies that really work?
I live in West Virginia at 650 feet elevation and am now staying in Wyoming for the summer where it's 7200 feet elevation. Since coming out here I've had pretty bad headaches, but tylenol and advil don't help at all; I feel a little nauseated almost always and get bad dizzy spells for no reason and even passed out once, plus I've been throwing up and get a ton of nose bleeds. I've been taking it easy but I still feel super worn out, even when I have a full nights rest. Is this normal? I know mountain climbers get altitude sickness, but I didn't think that 7200 ft. was high enough for altitude sickness. Should I see a doctor? Is there anything a doctor can do, or are there any natural remedies?
Answers:
well it may develop in as low as 2500m (aprox7500 feet) but usually to climbers that ascend rapidly or faster than they can acclimate, including those in previously excellent health. the symptoms that you describe are consistent with those of acute mountain sickness, but there may be other causes for it (pregnancy comes to mind and others)
my first recommendation is to go to a doctor and let them check you out for anemia as well.
About treatment I would not recommend anything until you have firm diagnosis, you see your mountain sickness may be something else until proven otherwise.
Hope this helps