Dizziness at high altitude

As altitude rises, each breath provides less available oxygen. The body needs time to adjust, and exertion can make headache, lightheadedness, nausea, tiredness or breathlessness more noticeable. Dry air, sweating, cold and reduced appetite can add fluid or energy loss.

Altitude illness is a concern when symptoms begin after going higher and do not improve with rest. Dizziness can also have an unrelated cause, including anaemia, a heart-rhythm problem or inner-ear vertigo. The setting and symptom progression help guide the response, but a remote description cannot confirm the cause.

Stop climbing, rest with a companion and avoid alcohol or sedatives. Keep warm, sip fluids and eat if you can. Do not continue upward while symptoms are present. Tell your guide or travel companion, and monitor alertness, breathing, coordination and headache.

If symptoms do not improve promptly at the same altitude, or they return after rest, descend to a lower level with help. Do not descend alone if balance or judgement is affected. A clinician can advise about acclimatisation, previous altitude illness, travel plans and any prescribed prevention medicine before a trip.

Treat confusion, unusual sleepiness, inability to walk straight, breathlessness at rest, blue lips, coughing frothy sputum, fainting or a rapidly worsening headache as an emergency. Arrange immediate descent and emergency medical help; do not wait for a person to recover at the same altitude.

Dizziness with marked sweating, thirst or weakness may also reflect Dehydration or Heat Exhaustion. Persistent symptoms after descent, or symptoms in someone with heart, lung or blood conditions, need medical assessment.

Ask how quickly to ascend, how long to rest at each stage, whether your medicines or heart and lung history change the plan, and which symptoms require immediate descent. Share your itinerary, highest sleeping altitude and any previous reaction to altitude.