What does nausea feel like with altitude sickness?

The unsettled feeling may come with loss of appetite, tiredness, light-headedness, or a headache after travelling to a higher elevation. Some people vomit, while others mainly feel unable to eat. Symptoms often appear after ascent and can worsen if you continue climbing. Severe confusion, unusual drowsiness, difficulty walking, or breathlessness at rest are not typical mild symptoms and may signal a dangerous altitude illness.

Stop ascending and rest at the same elevation. Sip fluids as tolerated, avoid alcohol, and do not exercise until symptoms improve. Tell someone in your group how you feel and keep monitoring your alertness, balance, breathing, and ability to drink. If symptoms do not improve or become worse, descend with help; do not stay alone or rely on pain relief to continue climbing.

Get urgent assistance and descend promptly for confusion, difficulty walking, fainting, severe weakness, breathlessness at rest, blue lips, or a cough producing frothy fluid. Repeated vomiting or inability to drink also needs prompt help because dehydration can worsen illness. Do not delay emergency care while trying to identify the exact type of altitude problem.

Before future high-altitude travel, ask whether your health or medicines affect your risk, how quickly to ascend, and whether preventive treatment is suitable. Ask what symptoms should stop your ascent, how to plan descent, and when you should avoid travelling until reviewed.