A Skier's Guide to |
Skiers (and snowboarders) are at risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) when they enter the mountain environment. Most skiers will at most experience a periodic mild headache. For a small minority, AMS can rapidly progress into High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) (i.e. fluid in the lungs) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), which are life threatening conditions. This page presents information that can help skiers understand and deal with the symptoms of AMS. Enjoy your vacation more by preventing AMS and being able to help your friends in distress.
At 8,000 feet (2438 meters), there is 1/4 less oxygen per breath. At 14,000 feet (4266 meters) there is 1/3 less. There are many resorts with peak elevations in this range of altitudes. Skiers should be especially aware when at resorts that have base elevations above 8,000 feet. Note that although commercial airline flights range in altitude from 20,000 to 40,000 feet, the cabins are pressurized to reduce the apparent altitude to between 5,400 and 7,000 feet.
AMS is caused by changes in chemical balances as the
body adapts to less oxygen in each breath. Lower atmospheric pressure means
that there are fewer oxygen molecules in each breath. The body attempts to
breath harder to get more oxygen, but not enough to make up the difference. The
balance between gasses in the lungs and in the blood changes. The distribution
of potassium and sodium within the body also changes. These imbalances change
the distribution of water between blood and the body tissues. When these changes
happen slowly, symptoms can be avoided. The faster that these changes occur and
the higher one goes, the more susceptible one is. Some people get AMS easier than others.
Skiers (as opposed to hikers and climbers) increase their chances of getting AMS by using lifts to rapidly ascend in
altitude and then performing intense exercise. Other common contributing factors
are being out of shape, smoking, drinking alcohol and getting little rest. Skiers avoid
having AMS progress into HAPE/HACE by not spending a lot of time at altitude and
returning to lower elevations at night.
Most skiers do not recognize that the headaches are symptoms of AMS. This chart can help you tell the difference between cold, flu and acute mountain sickness (information adapted from a presentation by Steve Dike, PharmD).
Symptom | Common Cold | Influenza | AMS |
Fever |
Rare |
Sudden onset, temperature>102-104 Degrees Fahrenheit | Absent |
Fatigue, weakness & exhaustion | Common | Extreme | Common |
Nausea | Rare | Common | Prominent; vomiting indicates HAPE |
Headache | Mild or absent | Prominent | Prominent |
Muscular pain or joint pain | Mild or absent | Prominent | Mild or absent |
Nasal discharge | Common | Prominent | Absent |
Nasal congestion | Common | Less Common | Absent |
Sneezing | Common | Less | Less Common |
Sore Throat | Common | Common | Rare |
Cough | Less common, usually non-productive | Common, persistent and non-productive | Persistent or productive cough indicates HAPE |
Ocular(eye) | Watery eyes | Pain on motion of eyes, burning, light sensitivity | Dry eyes |
Duration | 5-10 days | One week | 1-4 days |
Other Symptoms | Shortness
of breath, rapid heartbeat, sleep disturbance. |
||
Complications | Sinus congestion, earache | Bronchitis, pneumonia | Bummer vacation experience, HAPE, HACE |
A common AMS induced sleep disturbance is called periodic breathing (several deep breaths followed by 15 seconds of no breathing).
Here are some things skiers can do to help prevent AMS:
Know your limits. Although individuals get effected at different altitudes, the altitude that one experiences effects tends to remain fairly constant. Susceptibility to altitude sickness may be partly increased due to genetics.
Reduce or eliminate drinking and smoking until you have adjusted to altitude.
Drink plenty of water. Get a Camelbak and sip more the higher you go. Dehydration symptoms mimic altitude sickness.
Eat carbohydrates (pastas, breads, jams, jellies, etc)
Don't ski hard on the first day (take cruisers instead of hitting the bumps right off).
Don't hike out of bounds on the first day.
When hiking, use the "rest step" technique. Step, stop briefly and breath, step again.
Improve your breathing techniques. Pressure breathing = inhale normally, breath out in a rapid puff. Belly breathing = push your belly button out as you breath in.
Do your upper mountain exploring later into your vacation. Work your way UP the mountain, slowly.
If you have experienced AMS in the past despite all of the above steps, ask your Doctor if a prescription for Diamox (Acetazolamide) is appropriate, but be aware that Diamox is a diuretic (you'll need to drink even more water). Mountain climbers are also being advised to carry anti high blood pressure medication (vasodilators). Your blood pressure increases as you gain altitude. New research indicates that Salmetrol may help prevent the onset of AMS symptoms. Gingko Balboa and coca based products (e.g. leaves, tea) may help, but are less effective than Diamox.
Keep children under 6 at lower elevations
Women who are premenstrual should stay at lower elevations.
Be aware that storms can decrease atmospheric pressure by an additional 5% and that pressure drops faster per elevation increase the higher you go.
Here are some of the things that skiers can do to deal with AMS symptoms:
Tough it out. For most skiers, it's just a minor headache. (see note below)
Go downhill (skiers like doing this anyway) and stay at lower elevations. 1000 feet is usually enough to reduce mild symptoms.
Take it easy. If hiking, then slow down and let someone else take the lead. If skiing, choose a groomed run instead of moguls.
Take aspirin, Tylenol or Advil.
Don't take Viagra (unless your doctor says it's ok)
Drink lots of water. Do NOT drink tea, cocoa or caffeinated soda. Do not eat the yellow snow.
Eat. Granola or energy bars will do.
If it gets worse (e.g. vomit, cough or loss of coordination), lose elevation as quickly and safely as possible and see a Doctor immediately!
More links on AMS:
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine Consensus Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Acute Altitude Sickness
Google's list of AMS/HAPE links
Healthopedia has a simple write up - they recommend Gingko Biloba for prevention.
Gorp talks about diamox.
Outdoor Action has good info
Web MD (lame)
CIWEC High Altitude travel tips CIWEC is Canadian International Water and Energy Consultants they have a clinic in Nepal
The
high altitude medicine guide - Good stuff
Copyright
2001
Rusty Carr
All Rights Reserved
NOTE: The
Rusty is not a medical professional. this is information is not intended for medical
diagnosis or treatment.
please consult your
physician instead of a lawyer.