Laramie Living

   When people travel to elevate areas such as Laramie that sit at altitudes in excess of 5,000 feet above sea level, they may experience altitude sickness. The lack of oxygen in the air creates difficulties in breathing at high altitudes. It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours before engaging in any strenuous activities if the ascent to a higher altitude happened rapidly. Altitude has physiological effects, typically experienced by those who ascend more than 2,000 feet too quickly. For example, a person flying into Laramie from Florida may be more susceptible to altitude sickness than a person driving from similarly elevated Colorado. Coming to a high elevation from a low elevation provides challenges unique to the body receiving less oxygen. Some of the symptoms people experience as a result of altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness (AMS), include fatigue, dizziness, swelling of the hands and feet, and lack of appetite. In more severe cases, people experience a fever, exhibit signs of bronchitis, have shortness of breath even when sedentary, loss of consciousness, a persistent headache, unsteady gait, and increased nausea and vomiting. These severe signs may indicate accumulation of fluid in body tissue called edema.

   A person can experience either high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Persons showing signs of HAPE typically feel fatigued, shortness of breath, and a dry cough with a pink, frothy mucus produced. Symptoms a person exhibits for HACE include fatigue, headache, visual impairment, paralysis on one side of the body, loss of coordination, and confusion. Both HAPE and HACE can result in death if medical help is not sought immediately. For both reactions, descending to a lower altitude aids in recovery. Newcomers to Laramie may experience some symptoms of altitude sickness, especially if they come from a much lower elevation. Taking time to acclimate by allowing a day or two for the body to adjust to thinner air is key.

   Preventative measures for measures for people traveling to higher elevations should include high intake of fluids but the avoidance of alcoholic beverages. Ones tolerance to alcohol becomes diminished significantly when traveling to high altitudes, making the consumption of alcohol before acclimating both irresponsible and dangerous. With the physiological effects of altitude sickness on one’s alcohol tolerance comes a reverse effect in which the consumption of alcohol can exacerbate symptoms of altitude sickness.