Altitude sickness relief: what helps and when to descend

Altitude sickness develops when the body has not had enough time to adjust to lower oxygen availability. Headache, nausea, poor appetite, tiredness, light-headedness and disturbed sleep can occur after a recent climb. Symptoms may resemble dehydration or exhaustion, so consider both the ascent and the full symptom pattern.

Remaining at the same elevation prevents further exposure from climbing, while descent increases oxygen availability. Feeling temporarily better after rest or pain relief does not make further ascent safe if symptoms remain.

Pause the journey and rest with a companion who can notice deterioration. Drink normally to satisfy thirst, eat light food if tolerated, avoid alcohol and sedating medicines, and do not exercise. Simple pain relief may help a headache when it is normally safe for you, but it does not treat inadequate acclimatisation.

Do not climb higher while unwell. If symptoms are not settling, arrange a controlled descent and medical assessment. Supplemental oxygen and prescription medicines may be used by trained clinicians or according to a plan made before travel; they should not be used to justify continuing upward.

Confusion, unusual drowsiness, difficulty walking in a straight line, breathlessness at rest, chest tightness, a persistent cough, blue or grey lips, collapse or rapidly worsening symptoms can indicate severe altitude illness. Descend promptly with assistance and seek emergency medical help. A severely unwell person should not descend alone.

Urgent assessment is also appropriate when repeated vomiting prevents fluids from staying down, a severe headache does not ease, or symptoms continue despite stopping ascent. If descent is delayed by weather or terrain, contact local rescue services and use emergency equipment only as trained.

Before a high-altitude trip, ask how your route allows gradual acclimatisation, whether your medical conditions or medicines change the plan, and what symptoms should trigger descent. Discuss whether preventive or rescue medication is appropriate, how to take it, and what side effects could resemble altitude illness.