Altitude Sickness/Dehydration

[Kickingmonkey]

I found this stuff called Acli-Mate, and used it before I went backpacking. This stuff works great! I live at around 1,800 ft, and in three days we had driven and were camping at 11,500 ft. Here is the site:

http://www.acli-mate.com/

 

[Rory]

We live in IL, and as soon as we pull out of our drive, we start hydrating with H20. When we arrive at our CO or WY destinations, we walk the first day, without exertion. We build from there, but we don't exert until day 3. Has never failed me.

 

[Alabama]

Everybody says stay hydrated but then a diuretic like Diamox is used to treat altitude sickness? That doesn't seem to make sense. Can someone elaborate. How can staying hydrated help with altitude sickness and a diuretic that gets rid of fluids also help with altitude sickness? I'm not saying it isn't possible but seems crazy to me.

 

[Finsandtines]

In short, Hydration has more to do with overall body function. Altitude sickness is related to lack of oxygen so they are different but often confused as far as the symptoms go.

The way I see it, taking a diuretic only means drink a bit more than you would at altitude if prescribed one. Hope that makes sense!

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I thought the diuretic is used to treat or prevent edema in altitude sickness cases.

 

[Tim McCoy]

My understanding is there are two different yet related issues. One is acclimating to altitude to be able to physically perform, so hydration is very critical. You are likely to lose more fluid up there for a variety of reasons, having to work harder for each step among them. All about getting oxygen, in a lower than normal oxygen environment, to your muscles. The second is physiologically adjusting to the lower pressure. I'm no expert on the topic, but have tried to get some basics down prior to high altitude hunts. There are a surprising number of medically possible altitude related issues. The lower you start, the faster you go up, and the higher you go, the odds increase you will have symptoms.

Below is a resource I've referred to in prep for high altitude adventures. Altitude can get you fast, prior lack of symptoms does not mean next time you have nothing to worry about. So far as I know, you don't build immunity after a symptom free accent. http://www.traveldoctor.co.uk/altitude.htm

 

[WRO]

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060624120556.htm

Seems like it has really good results, also prevents peeing on your boots.

 

[Cooperd0g]

Tim is basically correct. Overall hydration is keep your body functioning properly. The use of Diamox isn't because it is a diuretic with the goal of causing you to pee more or to prevent edema. It is because the specific type of diuretic it is alters the chemistry of your blood (which happens to make you pee more) which in turn allows the oxygen bound to your red blood cells to be released to your tissues easier.