How do you train your body for altitude sickness?

Question

I am going hiking in Colorado on a 14er and I was wondering what is the best way to get ready for that so I don't get altitude sickness because the last time I went hiking I did.

Answer 1

You can do 2 important things to prevent high-altitude illness:

1. Take your time traveling to higher altitudes. When you travel to a high altitude, your body will begin adjusting right away to the lower amount of oxygen in the air, but it takes several days for your body to adjust completely. If you're healthy, you can probably safely go from sea level to an altitude of 8,000 feet in a few days. But when you reach an altitude above 8,000 feet, don't go up faster than 1,000 feet per day. The closer you live to sea level, the more time your body will need to get used to a high altitude. Plan your trip so your body has time to get used to the high altitude before you start your physical activity.

2. Sleep at an altitude that is lower than the altitude you are at during the day. For example, if you ski at an elevation of 10,000 feet during the day, sleep the night before and the night after at an elevation of 8,500 feet.

AVOID ALCOHOL and drink plenty of water.

Here's more: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/...

Have a fun and safe trip!

Answer 2

The advice loriann gave is good.  Take time to acclimate to the altitude.  When we've traveled to high altitude areas like the Himalayas or the Andes, we've taken Diamox  (Acetazolamide).  It's a prescription that helps prevent altitude sickness and actually is used to treat it.

Here is the Travel Doctor page to read:  http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/altitude.h...  We have a page on general international travel health tips:   http://www.mousetourstravels.com/interna...  

Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it!  http://www.mousetourstravels.com