The Art of Hiking - Hiking Alabama: A Guide to the State's Greatest Hiking Adventures - page 457

Slowing your ascent to high places and giving your body a chance to acclimat-
ize to the higher elevations can prevent altitude sickness. For example, if you live
at sea level and are planning a weeklong backpacking trip to elevations between
7,000 and 12,000 feet, start by staying below 7,000 feet for one night, then move
to between 7,000 and 10,000 feet for another night or two. Avoid strenuous exer-
tion and alcohol to give your body a chance to adjust to the new altitude. It's also
important to eat light food and drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids, preferably wa-
ter. Loss of appetite at altitude is common, but you must eat!
Most hikers who experience mild to moderate AMS develop a headache and/or
nausea, grow lethargic, and have problems sleeping. The treatment for AMS is
simple: stop heading uphill. Keep eating and drinking water and take meds for the
headache. You actually need to take more breaths at altitude than at sea level, so
breathe a little faster without hyperventilating. If symptoms don't improve over
twenty-four to forty-eight hours, descend. Once a victim descends about 2,000 to
3,000 feet, his signs will usually begin to diminish.
Severe AMS comes in two forms: High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). HAPE, an accumulation of fluid in
the lungs, can occur above 8,000 feet. Symptoms include rapid heart rate, short-
ness of breath at rest, AMS symptoms, dry cough developing into a wet cough,
gurgling sounds, flu-like or bronchitis symptoms, and lack of muscle coordina-
tion. HAPE is life threatening so descend immediately, at least 2,000 to 4,000 feet.
HACE usually occurs above 12,000 feet but sometimes occurs above 10,000 feet.
Symptoms are similar to HAPE but also include seizures, hallucinations, paralys-
is, and vision disturbances. Descend immediately—HACE is also life threatening.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Deer mice spread the virus that
causes HPS, and humans contract it from breathing it in, usually when they've
disturbed an area with dust and mice feces from nests or surfaces with mice drop-
pings or urine. Exposure to large numbers of rodents and their feces or urine
presents the greatest risk. As hikers, we sometimes enter old buildings, and often
deer mice live in these places. We may not be around long enough to be exposed,
but do be aware of this disease. About half the people who develop HPS die.
Symptoms are flu-like and appear about two to three weeks after exposure. After
initial symptoms, a dry cough and shortness of breath follow. Breathing is diffi-
cult. If you even think you might have HPS, see a doctor immediately!