When elevations reach above 8,000 feet, the body can be adversely affected, according to Medline Plus. Known as altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness, this condition can cause extreme symptoms--even death if a person reaches too high an altitude. One of the first symptoms of this condition is dizziness.
Significance
As a person advances to altitudes higher than 8,000 feet, the amount of oxygen in the air becomes progressively less. Although the body can adjust to being at higher altitudes, those who are not used to breathing less oxygenated air can become ill, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Because the body is not used to functioning with less oxygen, lung, heart and brain functioning are impaired and symptoms such as dizziness can occur.
Symptoms
Dizziness is a symptom of mild to moderate illness related to elevation, according to Medline Plus. If you experience this symptom, it is a good idea to cease ascending to a higher elevation. If even at rest your dizziness is accompanied by shortness of breath, confusion, chest tightness or you are coughing up blood, go to an emergency room as quickly as possible because these are signs of severe altitude sickness.
Risk Factors
Certain risk factors may put you at risk for experiencing elevation-related dizziness and other altitude sickness symptoms. These include having an activity schedule that involves ascending more than 1,500 feet in one day after being above 9,200 feet and a history of experiencing elevation-related sickness, according to Rita Zeidner, a climbing expert writing for The Washington Post. Understanding your risk factors can help you understand your limitations.
Prevention/Solution
Preventing elevation-related dizziness begins with creating a safe plan for ascending to certain elevations. The American Academy of Family Physicians advises ascending no more than 1,000 feet per day once you reach the 8,000-feet mark. At night, you also should sleep at an altitude that is lower than the altitude you were at during the day to allow your body to adjust.
If you begin to experience dizziness and other altitude-related symptoms that seem to be worsening, slowly descend where there's more oxygenated air. You can take a prescription medication known as acetazolamide, a drug which causes the body to take in more oxygen, according to Zeidner.
Warning
While it's likely that when you reach higher elevations you will experience some symptoms associated with higher elevations, including dizziness, it's important to consider when your symptoms seem to be worsening. If your symptoms are not staying at the same level or are advancing to severe, cease going to higher elevations, according to Zeidner. Two severe forms of elevation-sickness, high altitude cerebral edema and high altitude pulmonary edema, can cause fluid to leak into the lungs or brain, according to Rick Curtis of the Outdoor Action Program, Princeton University. Both of these conditions can lead to death if not treated immediately.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians: High-Altitude Illness: How to Avoid It and How to Treat It
- Medline Plus: Acute Mountain Sickness
- Princeton University: Outdoor Action Guide to High Altitude; Rick Curtis; 1995
- The Washington Post: Guidlines Suggest Ways to Minimize the Risk of High-Altitude Sickness
