Tips for High-Altitude Health

TIPS FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE HEALTH

The City sits at a glorious 7,000 feet in elevation above sea level. The views are abundant, but oxygen less so. Also, your exposure to ultraviolet rays is significantly greater. Take these easy precautions to thoroughly enjoy your visit to The City Different.

Health

• Hydrate! Your body loses water through respiration at high altitude twice as fast as at sea level. The Institute for Altitude Medicine recommends you consume an additional 50 ounces of water per day.

• Minor high-altitude sickness can be only mildly annoying, and typically resolves on its own. Be watchful of the symptoms and treat accordingly— headache, fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea, rapid heart rate, insomnia, vomiting. (You needn’t anticipate severe symptoms unless you are climbing way up into the mountains.)

• Check in with your young ones. Kids, toddlers, and babies are not necessarily able to communicate symptoms of altitude sickness. Fussiness could be an indication.

• Vacation is a time to celebrate, but ease up on the alcohol consumption as it lowers your blood oxygen levels.

• Acclimatize! Avoid overexertion in your first 1 to 2 days.

• Apply sunscreen liberally and don a brimmed hat. For every thousand feet of elevation, your exposure increases by 6 to 10 percent. Winter sports enthusiasts beware—rays bouncing off the snow can be pretty intense.