Potential hazards:
Altitude sickness

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  Most of Summit County lies above 8700 feet (2650 meters).  If your body is accustomed to low altitudes (i.e. below 3000 feet / 900 meters) you should take it easy for a couple of days to let your body accustom itself to the "thinner" air.  My brother had a severe heart condition, however, and he did okay in Rocky Mountain National Park at 8600 feet.  On the other hand, my sister-in-law, who had visited us numerous times, came down with altitude sickness when we were in Estes Park, which is 1500 feet lower than our home.   It all depends on the individual and on the circumstances, and it appears that physical conditioning is irrelevant.  If you want to come prepared, bring Diamox. We have had a number of visitors spend time in the local emergency room. If you don't know how you're going to react to this altitude, talk to your doctor. Better safe than sorry.

Altitude illness is caused by the lack of oxygen in our thin mountain air. Altitude illness can effect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition in altitudes above 6000 feet. The altitude illness seen most commonly is:

Acute Mountain Sickness (A.M.S.)

Acute Mountain Sickness is a mild form of altitude sickness which effects 20% to 30% of visitors to Colorado. The symptoms are headache, nausea, vomiting and trouble sleeping. A.M.S. looks and feels like the "flu". Most people experience the symptoms of A.M.S. in the first three days after arrival. The symptoms usually go away by the fourth day.

The incidence and severity of A.M.S. are related to altitude, speed of ascent, physical exertion and prior acclimatization. Some people are particularly susceptible to A.M.S. and experience similar episodes with each exposure. Symptoms of headache, shortness of breath, anorexia or nausea, weakness dyspnea and "flu-like" malaise may begin 6 to 48 hours after ascent.

Treatment of A.M.S.

Most people with mild A.M.S. get better with no treatment at all. People with moderate or severe symptoms should see a doctor. Things that help:

1. Before your trip, maintain a good work/rest cycle, avoiding excessive work hours and last minute packing.
2. Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills or narcotics, they may decrease ventilation, intensify hypoxemia and make symptoms worse.
3. Drink plenty of fluids.
4. Eat high-carbohydrate foods (rice, pasta, cereal) while avoiding fatty stuff.
5. Avoid heavy exercise. Mild exercise is okay.
6. Diamox (acetazolamide) 125mg. tablets taken twice a day is F.D.A. approved for prevention and treatment of A.M.S. Although it was originally released as a diuretic, it also helps you breath deeper and faster. This allows you to get more oxygen. Diamox is especially helpful with the insomnia and other symptoms of A.M.S.
7. Home oxygen will relieve symptoms. Home oxygen is safe, cheap and easy to use. It can be used at night when symptoms are worse and off and on during the day as symptoms dictate.
8. If nothing else works, you can return to lower altitude. Going to Denver or Colorado Springs will always relieve the symptoms of A.M.S.

Prevention of A.M.S.

People who get symptoms from high altitude can take several steps to prevent symptoms on their next visit to Colorado.

1. "Staging" or changing altitudes helps. If you are coming from sea level, it is better to spend the night in Denver or Colorado Springs. This allows your body to adjust to the altitude and will help you adjust to higher altitudes better.
2. Diamox may be taken one to two days prior to arrival. This will "prepare" your body for our altitude.
3. Do not over-do on your first day or two.
4. Physical conditioning at sea level does not help.

Conclusion

Rapid ascent to high altitude can be uncomfortable for many people and dangerous for some. Headache and other symptoms of acute mountain sickness may be prevented by gradual ascent or by taking Diamox. Pulmonary edema occurs in a small percentage of people who quickly ascent to elevations above 8,000 feet. Those patients need to see a physician for oxygen therapy and descent to lower altitude.