Why Nausea When Climbing A Mountain? Know The Causes And How To Overcome It

Illustration - Mount Climber (Pixabay/Marjonhorn)

Climbing the mountain is now one of the favorite natural tourism options in Indonesia. Staying away from the bustle of urban bustle and blending with nature can have a positive impact on physical and mental health. However, have you ever felt nauseous or dizzy while climbing? If so, you could experience what is called altitude crime or height disease. This disease is also known as acute mountain crime.

Altitude sinkness occurs when a person climbs too quickly to a certain height. This is due to the depletion of oxygen levels in the highlands. At altitudes above 1,500 meters above sea level (masl), air pressure is starting to decrease and oxygen is decreasing. The body needs time to adapt to this condition.

Quoted from Medical News Today, Generally, amplitude attacks at an altitude of 2,500 meters (about 8,000 feet) or more. People who are unfamiliar with heights have the highest risk. It is important to remember that this condition cannot be underestimated and has the potential to cause serious complications.

On the highlands, such as mountaintops, low oxygen levels will make your breath faster. This is a natural response of the body to meet oxygen needs. To overcome this, the body needs to make adjustments (aclimatization) to low oxygen levels and cold temperatures. However, if the body has difficulty adapting, a high disease also appears.

When the oxygen levels in the body are reduced due to height disease, some of the symptoms that may arise include headaches, dizziness, nausea, weakness, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating.

In more severe cases, climbers can experience confusion, hallucinations, difficulty moving, hearing loss, severe headache, chest pain, palpitations, decreased consciousness, and even fainting. Symptoms usually arise 1224 hours after reaching a certain height and improve within 23 days after the body adapts.

Launching the Cleveland Clinic, there are three types or levels of height disease.

This is the mildest and most common form of height disease. Symptoms are similar to getting drunk with travel, such as dizziness, nausea, and headaches.

This condition occurs when altitude sinkness causes a crack in the lungs. Although not the most severe type, HAPE requires immediate medical attention and can be fatally faster than other types of high-health illness.

This type is the most severe. HACE occurs when the amplitude sinkness buildup of fluids in the brain, causes the brain to swell and malfunction normally. This condition is very dangerous and requires emergency care.

The most effective way to cure altitude sickness is to go down to a lower altitude. However, if the condition is not too severe or it is not possible to go down immediately, there are several steps that can be taken:

1. Stop and rest.

Immediately rest when the first symptoms appear. If symptoms worsen (such as dizziness, fatigue, or nausea), it is highly recommended to go down. Most experts recommend dropping by at least 300 meters to 1,000 meters (984 to 3,281 feet) until symptoms improve.

2. Give Additional Oxygen

Inhaling oxygen with a higher concentration can help relieve some symptoms of high disease. However, the effect of oxygen therapy is actually less effective when compared to dropping to a lower altitude.

3. Medicines

Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can be used to deal with complaints such as headaches or ear aches due to height.