Can You Have Altitude Sickness After Returning Home?

High-altitude Mountains are a dream for any hiker, traveller, or adventure lover. But going to high-altitude zones also brings the challenge of altitude sickness. It is a condition when your body does not get to acclimate enough to the lower oxygen level and starts having symptoms like nausea, headache, dizziness, and even vision changes. If the body does not get the time to recover, it can also be life-threatening. In several cases, people feel altitude sickness symptoms even after coming back home or to a lower altitude.

To understand the phenomenon of how altitude sickness can persist even after coming back from the high-altitude zone, we spoke to Dr Basavaraj S Kumbar, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru.

Altitude Sickness And Its Symptoms

Altitude sickness happens when your body has trouble adjusting to the difference in how much oxygen you’re getting with each breath, as reported by the Cleveland Clinic. The higher the altitude you go, the air gets thinner, which means breathing the same amount of air will get you less oxygen, putting extra pressure on your lungs. Dr Basavraj S Kumbar explained that depending on the altitude and fitness level, a person may experience various symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Nausea & Vomiting
• Headache
• Fatigue without significant physical exertion
• Loss of Appetite
• Vision Changes

Can Altitude Sickness Stay After Coming Down?

Dr Kumbar mentioned, “The symptoms of altitude sickness reduce when going back down to places where the oxygen concentration is normal. However, sometimes the symptoms of headache, tiredness, and dizziness may remain for a few days due to the body's readjustment.”

After returning home, it is advisable to track your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing for one or two days; if these feel abnormal, your altitude sickness is not over yet. Dr Kumbar Stated, “ If the symptoms last for more than a week or get worse, it may indicate a severe condition. In this situation, you must look for professional help.”

Also Read: Why Is It Difficult To Breathe At High Altitudes? Here's What You Should Know Before Your Next Adventure

Factors That Lead to Altitude Sickness?

Continued or postponed symptoms of altitude sickness even after coming back home may be caused because the body has not recovered from the initial stress. Dr Kumbar shared, “If your body has not recovered from mild or moderate altitude sickness, it will turn into severe, lasting longer than usual.”

Here are a few factors shared by Dr Kumbar that can result in persistent altitude sickness:

• Sudden gain of height (more than 300 to 500 meters) without taking proper rest.
• Not drinking enough water and not taking rest during and after the trek.
• Pre-existing health conditions, such as lung or heart diseases, may worsen the condition.
• Not recovering from moderate altitude sickness symptoms during the trek.
• Oxygen deprivation in your brain and body even after the journey.
• Everyone’s body has its own limit and stamina; never let your body exhaust completely.
• Dehydration, alcohol, and sleeping pills might make breathing difficult.
• Low oxygen and cold weather challenge the body’s adaptation process twice as much.

Also Read: Can High Altitudes Cause Bloating? Expert Answers

What Severe Complications Can Result From Altitude Sickness?

Dr Kumbar shared that if left untreated, altitude sickness can lead to life-threatening complications such as:
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Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS)

AMS is considered the mildest and most common form of altitude sickness. It generally takes from 1 to 3 days to recover as one's body gets used to the high altitude. If you take proper rest, drink enough water, and even go down to a lower-altitude place, the recovery will be quick most of the time.

High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

HAPE is a medical emergency that occurs when your lungs accumulate fluid, causing breathlessness, cough, tightness, and heaviness in the chest. This needs immediate medical intervention, and its recovery may take longer than usual.

High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

HACE is also a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. In this condition, brain cells swell, causing confusion, loss of balance, or even coma. Its recovery time also varies, as in several cases it may require hospitalisation.

Effective Self-Care Tips to Manage Altitude Sickness

Dr Kumbar explained that in many cases altitude sickness can be treated by oneself. Timely care can reduce the severity of the case and aid in quicker recovery.

Ascend gradually: Once you cross the 2,500-meter altitude, do not climb more than 300 to 500 meters in a single day.

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the journey to keep the body hydrated.

Avoid smoking and alcohol: Do con consume alcohol or any kind of intoxication, including tobacco and cigarettes.

Diet: Eat light and healthy food with a rich, high-carbohydrate portion.

Rest: Keep a well-planned itinerary with rest hours to avoid overexertion.

Respond to symptoms: If symptoms appear, pause and take a rest day; if they persist, descend to a lower altitude.

Stay Warm: Keep your body warm and never stay in wet clothing.

Medication: Over-the-counter medicines like acetazolamide (Diamox) may help prevent or ease symptoms, but you must consult a doctor before taking them.

When To Seek Medical Help?

Below are a few traits suggested by Dr Kumbar that one should consider if you feel after coming back home to seek medical attention immediately:

• Shortness of breath even when at rest.
• Persistent vomiting or severe headache.
• Confusion in things, loss of coordination, or dizziness.
• If your lips and nails have a bluishness.
• Chest pain or cough with frothy sputum.

Dr Kumbar noted, “These signs may indicate HAPE or HACE, which require emergency care, oxygen therapy, and rapid descent to a lower altitude.”

Bottomline

Altitude sickness is a common challenge encountered when you visit any high-altitude zone and gets better with time if you give your body proper nutrition and time to acclamatize. However, in a few cases, a patient’s health can deteriorate, especially if the lungs are not able to breath enough oxygen for a longer duration. Conditions like HACE and HAPE should be taken care of by medical professionals, as these can be fatal.