What is Altitude Illness?
Gotta’Go Again!
Many changes occur in the body’s fluid balancing systems during acclimatization. As blood concentration is reset, a factor known as altitude diuresis causes the kidneys to excrete more fluid. As a result, frequent urination is normal. If this is not happening, you are either dehydrated, or else, you are not acclimating well. I’ve seen many sea level students at Colorado’s Copper Mountain refuse to drink water, for fear of “having to go” in the middle of class. Rest assured, your instructor would rather have you stop at one of the mountain’s many rest rooms, than have you carried down the hill in the ski patroller’s sled due to high altitude sickness.
Defining Altitude Illness
In 1991, an International Hypoxia Symposium was held at Lake Louise in Alberta Canada. The following diagnostic definitions were determined.
Acute Mountain Sickness is characterized by:
• Appetite loss, nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue and/or weakness
• Light headedness
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Confusion
• Altered Gait
There are a number of ways to avoid acute mountain illness:
• Spend a day at a lower altitude before proceeding to your higher destination.
• Sleep at a lower altitude
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid sleeping pills
• Avoid narcotic pain medications
• Use caution when gaining altitude
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of AMS, descent is crucial! Failure to do so can result in a more serious case of acute mountain sickness.
Looking Good at Altitude
. During the winter in any ski area, the snow and ice reflect up to 90% of the sun’s UV rays in all directions. Higher altitudes exacerbate the problem, since you are closer to the sun. Furthermore, the thin atmospheric layer does not filter out a sufficient amount of ultraviolet rays.
High altitudes can also make you susceptible to insomnia, so you may find yourself with a few unwanted dark circles under your eyes! You can avoid this problem by spending your first night at a significantly lower altitude. This will give you a chance to acclimate. In fact, if it is at all possible, throughout your entire trip you will sleep better if you sleep at a lower altitude than your “playing” environment. In the mean time, dark circles can be minimized by applying tea bags or cucumber slices to your eyes for about 20 minutes. You can also reduce the affects of dehydration by drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol.
Now let’s talk about skin care. Start with a sunscreen that has a minimum of 30 SPF. Some sunscreens are specifically designed for high altitudes. Look for the mountain insignia on the logo. Be sure to choose a sunscreen that is suitable for faces. Your skin will also need moisturizing. You have two choices. If you plan to wear makeup on the mountains, use a product like Lancôme Bienfait Total Well Being Day Crème before you apply foundation. Along with its SPF 15 protection, this excellent product contains antioxidants that protect the skin from the damaging UV rays. If you don’t intend to wear makeup on the hills but want to add some color, companies such as Clinique and Clarins make tinted moisturizers that have some sun protection. If you do want to wear makeup, start with concealers made by either Clinique or Lancôme that also have SPF. Clinique also makes a few foundations that are suitable for sport. Again, make sure that you choose one that provides SPF.
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