Mountain Sickness (cont.)
Altitude Sickness Self-Care at Home
Delay further ascent until symptoms improve.
Rest and stay warm.
Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for headache.
Do not use sleeping pills or other central nervous system depressants to treat insomnia because they can suppress breathing.
If symptoms continue, do not travel any higher.
If symptoms worsen, descend approximately 1,000-2,000 feet (300-600 meters) immediately.
If descent is not possible, a portable hyperbaric chamber (Gamow bag) can be used to simulate a lower altitude.
The higher the altitude at which a hyperbaric chamber is used, the greater the apparent descent can be simulated. (This is because portable hyperbaric chambers can increase atmospheric pressure by 2 pounds per square inch.)
For example, a hyperbaric chamber at 9,800 feet (3,000 meters) can simulate a descent of 4,800 feet (1,500 meters), but the same hyperbaric chamber used at 24,600 feet (7,500 meters) can simulate a descent of 7,800 feet (2,400 meters).
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 11/10/2014
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