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Altitude Illness Information |
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Contributed by J. R. Ransom
|
 Altitude Sickness
Altitude illness is usually preventable if ascent is slow. This is not
possible for skiers who proceed directly to, and sleep at ski areas.
Persons travelling above 8,000 feet (which includes Taos Ski Valley,
Red River and Angel Fire) are most likely to be symptomatic.
The chances increase to about 15% when sleeping above 8,000 feet. Being in excellent physical condition has no bearing on one's ability to acclimate to altitude.
How Can You Improve
Acclimation to Altitude?
Sleeping a night or two at a lower elevation will help speed the body's
process of acclimatizing. (Albuquerque, Denver, Taos & Santa
Fe).
- Take it easy.
Many skiers can not resist the urge to overdo it the first day or two
only to ruin the rest of the week. Stop early when you start to feel
fatigue or any prolonged breathlessness.
- High
Carbohydrate Diet. Increase carbohydrate intake (pasta,
rice, pancakes) to 70% of total calories. This means reducingfat intake.
- Avoid
Alcohol, Tranquilizers & Sleeping Pills the first
two nights. All of these things slow your body's adjustment to
elevation. This is critical if you exhibit any of the symptoms below.
- Medication.
There is prescription medication which helps prevent illness and speed
acclimation. Any symptoms worse after second night sleeping at altitude
will benefit from this medication.
Symptoms of Altitude
Illness
Mild:
- Headache
- Run down feeling
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath with exertion
- Poor appetite
Mild symptoms are indistinguishable from a hangover. Take
Tylenol or
aspirin for headache. Benadryl for nausea. Avoid all alcohol.
Moderate:
- Headache not relieved by Tylenol/aspirin
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Balance/coordination problem*
- Raspy cough
If moderate symptoms occur seek medical care. *Balance
difficulty is
highly predictive of serious progression of illness. See physician
immediately!
Severe:
- Wet cough
- Shortness of breath at rest
- Disoriented "Leave me alone"
- Too weak to eat or get up
- Lips or fingernails blue in color.
Seek medical help immediately! At night call Taos County Ambulance 911
or Holy Cross Hospital 758-8883.
Mogul Medical
- Ski Medicine Specialists
- Open daily during ski season
- Pharmaceuticals on hand
- X-Ray
- First Aid Services
- Private practice clinic/urgent care
Mogul Medical Urgent Care
Family, Sports & Travel Medicine
Post Office Box 67
Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525
505-776-8421
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