Symptoms after altitude sickness

Altitude sickness develops when the body has not adjusted to reduced oxygen at high elevation. A headache is common, and nausea, reduced appetite, light-headedness, fatigue or disturbed sleep may accompany it. Symptoms should ease with rest at the same elevation or after moving lower. Feeling worse despite rest is a warning that the illness may be progressing rather than settling.

Confusion, unusual clumsiness, difficulty walking, breathlessness at rest or a wet cough are not symptoms to monitor at the same altitude. They can signal a serious high-altitude illness.

Stop climbing and rest. Tell a companion how you feel, drink normally without forcing large amounts, and avoid alcohol or sedating medicines unless a clinician has advised them. Do not travel higher while symptoms remain. If symptoms do not improve, move to a lower altitude with help and arrange medical assessment. A travel health consultation before future trips can help plan gradual ascent, acclimatisation and emergency steps.

Descend urgently and seek emergency care for confusion, trouble staying awake, loss of coordination, fainting, severe breathlessness at rest, blue lips, chest tightness or a cough producing frothy sputum. Do not leave a person with severe symptoms alone or ask them to descend without assistance. A rapidly worsening headache or repeated vomiting also needs prompt assessment.

Ask whether your symptoms fit altitude sickness, how far to descend, which medicines are appropriate, and how to plan acclimatisation for a later high-altitude journey.