Dr. Benjamin Honigman, the University of Colorado’s Altitude Research Center Director Emeritus, offers tips for avoiding altitude sickness.
Take a pit stop Altitude sickness affects 25 percent of people who venture above 10,000 feet, so it’s best to stop at an altitude that’s halfway between that of your home and your destination: Spending a day in Denver, for instance, en route to Vail lets your body adjust gradually.
Hydrate Since air is drier at higher altitudes, you’re more likely to get dehydrated—which can compound altitude sickness’s effects. You probably need 14 eight-ounce glasses of water a day—six more than usual— when you’re in a mountain town.
Watch the kids The Altitude Research Center found that kids are affected as often as adults—and that the elderly are surprisingly less prone to altitude sick- ness, probably because they’re less active.
Too late? The common indicators of altitude sickness are headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. The average person can recover in a few hours by taking a painkiller, drinking lots of water, and taking it easy. If you feel sick for more than 24 hours, see a doctor.
Source: Dr. Benjamin Honigman, The University of Colorado’s Altitude Research Center Director Emeritus