At higher elevations the risk of altitude illness is present. The symptoms usually remain mild and disappear within a few days, depending on the rapidity of the ascent and degree of exposure.
Altitude illness is most likely in individuals from sea level who travel by air or car (i.e. quickly) to high elevation ski resorts. The risk is compounded by increased physical activity (such as skiing or hiking) and dehydration.
Altitude illness can be categorized as mild or severe.
Mild Altitude Illness
The most common medical problem is acute mountain sickness (AMS). Symptoms include headache, difficulty sleeping, easy fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea. These symptoms typically begin on the 2nd day of exposure to altitude.
If you have these symptoms, you should reduce physical activity and rest. You should also stay at a similar or lower elevation and if symptoms become worse, descend. Usually, mild altitude illness disappears within 1-2 days, as you start to acclimatize to the altitude.
Severe Altitude Illness
This is a serious illness and it would be unusual for a person to be able to participate in any physical activity. There are 2 major types of severe altitude illness, both of which can be life threatening. High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is characterized by shortness of breath made worse by even minimal exertion, cough, weakness, difficulty sleeping, rapid heart rate and occasionally blue fingertips and/or lips.
High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is characterized by severe headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, loss of coordination, drowsiness and in extreme cases unconsciousness or coma. The treatment for HAPE and HACE is immediate descent to lower elevations.