Do I Have Altitude Sickness?

Have you climb mountain or travelling to cities that are 2,500m (8000 ft) above sea level or higher?

Were you physically active at a high elevation?

Do you have headache that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medicine?

Do you have nausea, vomiting or feeling sick?

Do you feel dizziness or lightheadedness?

Do you feel extremely tired like you have no energy at all?

Have you lost your appetite?

Do your symptoms get worse at night and you have sleeping difficulty?

Do you have shortness of breath (you cannot ketch your breath) or you feel confused?

Have you had a prior episode of altitude sickness?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have altitude sickness. Altitude sickness, also called acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a condition caused by walking or climbing to a high altitude (above 8,000 feet) too quickly. At higher altitudes, the air pressure around you and the oxygen level in the air decrease, and your body will need time to adjust to the change in pressure. Every time you go over 8000 feet, you are at risk of altitude sickness. If you enjoy climbing, you can safely continue to do so by allowing your body to gradually get used to the changes in the air at higher elevations.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is a health condition caused by quick exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation (over 8000 feet). Anyone can get altitude sickness; it does not only affect mountain climbers. Symptoms usually appear between 6 and 24 hours after reaching altitudes more than 8000 ft above sea level and then get better within a day or two as your body acclimatized. Please, see a doctor if your symptoms do not improve or get worse. If ignored, altitude sickness can become a medical emergency, causing serious complications on your brain or lungs.