Visiting Denver, Colorado: Prevention of Effects from Increased Altitude

The Best Treatment for Altitude Sickness is Prevention

Understanding how altitude can affect your body will allow you to enjoy your visit to Colorado and Denver as much as possible. Visits to Denver itself can be a challenge medically for some persons. This is due to the elevation of the city itself and is especially true for entry into the higher areas west of the city. The 13^th step of the Capitol Building of the State of Colorado is exactly 5,280 foot - one mile - high above sea level. That means some of the surrounding areas are even higher. Elevations of parks and normal tourist areas in the foot hills and mountains can easily get over 7,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level. Most visitors have no problems with effects from elevation until they get over 8,000 feet above sea level.

If you have no experience visiting a city or state with higher elevation you should inform your doctor of your planned trip. There may be a prescription that the doctor will give you for medicine or even extra oxygen for you to keep with you on the trip. Actually the best treatment for altitude related problems is prevention.

For persons that do have effects from altitude their symptoms could include any of the following; headaches, loss of appetite, strange dreams and nausea. These are symptoms of acute altitude sickness. Children can also be affected with the additional symptom of vomiting due to nausea.

Steps to take for both prevention and treatment of altitude sickness are the same.

You should ensure that you stay hydrated by drinking as much non-alcoholic beverage each day as possible. A minimum of 8 - 10 glasses of water is a good guide line to follow. Rest before and after physical activities. Reduction of physical activity. Decreased eating of heavy foods but increase drinking of fresh water or electrolyte heavy drinks. Smoking should be avoided as much as possible during the time at the higher elevations. The use of Aspirin or Tylenol type products for headache are okay but any other medication should be discussed with a doctor before taking.