The air is thinner at higher altitudes because the atmospheric pressure is lower. Your body will initially have difficulty getting the oxygen it needs, and your performance will suffer. This lack of oxygen can prevent unacclimated hikers from losing up to 50% of their regular physical efficiency at altitudes over 6,000 feet.
Hiking at 8,000 feet (2,500 meters) or higher may cause altitude sickness. Symptoms of altitude sickness include a throbbing headache, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, weakness, dizziness, and an inability to sleep.
Undoubtedly, it is difficult to appreciate the incredible high-altitude scenery when feeling miserable. Here are some tips to help prevent altitude sickness.
While medications like acetazolamide can help prevent altitude sickness, some prefer natural remedies. Another natural alternative besides coca leaves is Ginkgo Biloba. Gingko Biloba supplements may help improve circulation and oxygenation, potentially aiding in altitude acclimatization. The herb is from the Ginkgo tree leaves and has been used for thousands of years to treat various illnesses. Other practices include drinking garlic-rich soup.
Start taking Ginkgo Biloba 4 – 5 days before hiking, and for the duration of your hike (at altitude). The recommended dose is 80 mg twice a day–morning and evening. Gingko extract will work even faster than the capsules.
Ginkgo works because it thins the blood, improves blood circulation, and allows the brain to tolerate low oxygen levels. As with any supplement, talk with your physician before taking it.
Other Herbal remedies, such as Rhodiola rosea and ginseng, have adaptogenic properties that may help the body cope with stress, including the stress of high altitudes. However, research on their effectiveness in preventing altitude sickness is limited.
Do not go any higher until the symptoms go away. If your symptoms remain after 1 – 2 days (or worsen), immediately get down to a lower altitude. If you do not acclimate properly, you may develop a severe form of altitude-induced condition such as HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) (swelling of the brain) and HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) (fluid in the lungs), both of which can be fatal within 24 hours.
Symptoms of life-threatening altitude conditions include a dry cough, unsteady gait, blueness of the fingers, shortness of breath, fever, nausea, and a headache that will not go away.
It’s essential to listen to your body and seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms of altitude sickness.
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Update on Ginkgo: Outdoor Herbivore took a backpacking trip to the San Juan Wilderness in Colorado in the fall. We started taking Ginkgo as mentioned 4 days before our hike to help acclimate to the elevation. We had no issues with the altitude, but did spend a few days in areas between 5 - 8K ft before hitting the 10K+ elevations. So, it is hard to say if we can give Ginkgo full credit. It seems promising though and we'll definitely experiment more with it. Anyone else try Ginkgo? What was your experience with it?
Have been taking Gingko now for three months leading up to our Everest Base Camp Trek in October this year. Also have taken for forever B12, VitaminE and upped our dose of Q10 too 300mg per day. Can never be over prepared for what lies ahead. My husband and I are 63 and sooo looking forward to our return after 18years 📿
Just got back from backpacking the Colorado trail and some of our party felt the altitude. We are all over 65 years of age. I wondered what natural plants grow there to combat altitude sickness.