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High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
Safety Precautions For Winter Vacations
Travel to high elevations can be a wonderful
escape if you observe certain precautions, but
failure to plan ahead could turn your mountain winter holiday
into a disaster.
At 10,000 feet, air contains only two-thirds of the oxygen
volume as at sea level. Air pressure at sea level easily forces
available oxygen through the thin lining of your lungs into the
bloodstream. Higher elevations contain less air pressure and
available oxygen has a hard time penetrating lung walls.
At least 40% of mountain visitors experience some effects from
high altitudes. For some, it's no more than mild shortness of
breath, but others may develop flu-like symptoms which indicate
they are experiencing Acute Mountain Sickness. Symptoms
include: headaches, nausea, dizziness, apathy, loss of appetite,
and drowsiness. Some may find it difficult to sleep through the
night. In severe cases patients may also experience congestion,
even difficulty with thought processes.
Still others may develop a rare condition known as High Altitude
Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), similar to pneumonia. Fluid collects
in the lungs, causing breathing difficulty accompanied by a cough.
This illness is serious, and if not treated, can lead to death.
HAPE seems to occur more during winter months, probably
because summer visitors come to relax more than to party.
HAPE can occur regardless of age or health, and seems to attack
men more than women. These mountain illnesses develop within
the first few days of arrival and should disappear as your body
adjusts to the altitude, anywhere from three days to three weeks.
How can a traveler avoid these illnesses? First of all, if you are
susceptible to respiratory illnesses, or if you have a history of
heart, circulation, or lung problems, see your doctor before
planning a trip to high country. He might prescribe Diamox
or a similar medication, and will give instructions for using it.
Follow his instructions carefully. If you have serious problems
You should stay on lower elevations.
Begin your battle against mountain illnesses before you leave
home. Build endurance with a sustained exercise program
approved by your physician. Whenever possible, break your trip
by gradually ascending over a period of several days so your
system can adjust to the altitude by degrees.
Take plenty of fluids as soon as you start climbing to higher
elevations. Plan to take it easy the first day or two. Stop frequently
for rests. Avoid taking sleeping pills, narcotics and alcohol, at
least the first few days, because they can escalate mountain
illness symptoms.
Finally, if you suspect ear or respiratory infection, see a doctor at
once. If symptoms continue to escalate, or if you can't get the
symptoms under control, move to a lower elevation immediately.
Some skiing holidays are very short, so you might not be able to
take all these precautions. Do everything you can to prepare for
the trip, and once you arrive, be on the alert for any or all of these
symptoms and take whatever measures are necessary in order to
enjoy the time you spend there and return home in good shape.
Copyright Gerry Watkins 2000
Gerry Watkins, Webmaster of the award winning site
http://sundancerswest.com/
Editor: Sundancer's West, an on-line magazine that explores the
West and Borders Beyond
Contact Gerry at 1108 Meadowview Drive, Euless, TX 76039
Phone 817-545-5265;
Fax 817-571-6481;
email gwat1@swbell.net
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