Today’s poll question was inspired by today’s tip of the day, where we mention altitude sickness. It got us wondering how many readers suffer from it.
It’s a very common thing, especially for those who live at or closer to sea level compared to those that live at higher elevations.
If you feel altitude sickness you may have a headache, be dizzy, be nauseous, experience shortness of breath, be extra tired, have a hard time sleeping, or lose your appetite. In severe cases, you could even throw up. Yuck!
When you travel to higher elevations, do you tend to suffer from altitude sickness? Do you have any remedies you could share with others in the comments? If so, please do. Thank you!
Oh, and if you do get sick often, this stuff is supposed to work well at preventing it.
Please leave a comment. If you do suffer from altitude sickness, do you know from experience at what elevation it kicks in?
Not yet.
The only time we experienced slight altitude sickness was on Mt. Bierstadt (14,060’). We were a bit headachy. However, we live at 2300’, and had been in Denver for a few days (5600’). Never experienced it while driving.
I hiked up Kilimanjaro many years ago and didn’t experience altitude sickness but then again my physician prescribed medication to help prevent it and it worked. We were over 20.000 ft.
The summit of Kilimanjaro is 19340 feet….
Picky, picky.😉 Have a great day, Michael. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
No altitude sickness, but definitely noticed breathing heavier in the thinner air at Bryce Canyon. Take it easy, drink lots of water and just get out there!
Originally from FL, I used to but now living at 4,000 not so much.
I’ve spent 35 years as a ski patroller, and lots of time at high altitude ski mountaineering. I routinely suffer altitude sickness. Take time to acclimate, stay calm and reduce activity if you can if you start to feel unsteady.
I dont
Wife does
We have lived most of our lives at 5,600′ in Colorado, so we don’t experience altitude sickness when going camping in the mountains. However, due to being in our late 70s, we also no longer camp or hike above 10,000′!
We live at 6000′, so are somewhat acclimatized. I do feel higher altitude more as I age,usually at 8500 or so feet and higher. It’s more of an out-of-breath issue, and I generally recover after a couple of days.
I’ve read that most people have an altitude “cap”, i.e., they can go to a certain elevation, but not higher. One friend’s is somewhat over 10,000′, she suffers an asthma attack when she goes higher. Looking back, it has happened since she was a teenager hiking in the Sierras.
People often don’t know &/or think about elevation. Every time we go to Grand Canyon, we encounter someone puzzled by their shortness of breath.
Everyone is susceptible to the effects of altitude. “Sickness” is subjective, with most people considering it a debilitating condition. Take it slow, acclimate to it, and don’t exceed your physical limitations, and you’ll be fine.
Yes, I get altitude sickness as low as 4000′, so badly that I throw up. I have learned that if I drink 10 glasses of water a day for at least a week prior to going up in elevation, and continuing the hydration while in an upper altitude, the symptoms are much improved. Being well hydrated is the key for me.
Several years ago I stayed for a week in Colorado Springs area (Pike’s Peak RV Park, Manitou Springs) to visit a cousin. Coming from a much lower altitude, I knew that I’d need to be careful about overdoing it at that high altitude. I walked slowly, drank lots of water, etc.; but I stupidly took the Pike’s Peak Cog the first day! What was I thinking? The next morning, as soon as I woke up, I knew I was in trouble. My whole RV was “spinning” wildly. I was sick all that day and the next. Needless to say, that cut short my visit with my cousin and her husband.
Lived in a 7500′ ski resort for 50 years and flew our airplane in and out of there, usually cruising at 10,000’+. No effects, yet when I go to sea level, it took me a bit to feel normal. Now living at 2500′ ….. no snow 🙂
Thank you, RV Travel! 🙂 No, or don’t know is my answer. I have been at altitude twice (aside from airline travel) and did not get sick. Too few observations or actual answer? I don’t know. Thanks again, have a great week, and safe travels! 🙂
Yes, I definitely do. Didn’t realize what it was the first few times. Then it just clicked in my brain. After paying more attention to my physical changes, I’ve found my “sickness” starts at 5200. I live full time on the road, so stopping for a day or so to acclimate is very doable. I will also increase water intake now too.
I got altitude sickness when I went to Cuzco, Peru. Talk about nausea, headaches, upset stomach and diarrhea, yes, not fun at all. The coca leaf tea did help though. Macchu Picchu was a breeze, and returning to Cuzco after a couple of days was fine. Very thin air though, not fun for asthma sufferers.
No not yet, but I’m only 70 yrs old and things do change when we get older.