This article reviews why altitude headaches occur and how to prevent them.
At higher altitudes, a decrease in barometric pressure lowers the oxygen capacity in your cells, called cellularhypoxia.
This results in aheadache.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Symptoms worsen as you travel to even higher altitudes.
Causes
As you travel to high altitudes, there is decreased oxygen for yourlungsto breathe.
Hypoxia can then lower oxygen in body tissues, such as the brain.
Research shows that hypoxia triggers altitude headaches, even in healthy people without a past history of headaches.
Risk Factors
Many factors influence whether a person will develop an altitude headache or other AMS symptoms.
Many sports and recreational activities occur only in high-altitude parameters, such as mountainous areas.
This can include over-the-counter (OTC) products like ibuprofen and antinausea medication, if needed.
Many acute mountain sickness symptoms can also be relieved upon returning to a lower altitude.
People must descend slowly to decrease the risk of:
HAPE and HACE are life-threatening forms of altitude illness.
Both require immediate descent to a lower altitude and emergency medical treatment.
They commonly feel like intense, throbbing head pain that can develop and persist after being in high altitudes.
Treatment includes ibuprofen and antinausea medication or returning to a lower altitude.
A Word From Verywell
High altitude sports and other recreational events provide enjoyment for many people.
However, altitude headaches or other AMS symptoms can be painful, debilitating, or dangerous.
It’s essential to understand the risks and symptoms to watch for before ascending to high altitudes.
Before your next high-altitude trip, talk to your healthcare provider and discuss potential risks and treatments.
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