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Chase Loter
English 2010
Professor Beatty
October 16, 2012
Report
I once had a near death experience from a common flu due to altitude change when I was
ten years old. I often reflect on those three days I spent in that cold dark hospital room in
Northeast Arizona, and it makes me realize how blessed I am to be alive today. A rapid altitude
change can have a major affect on the way the human body functions. In some cases it is fatal,
especially for people with preexisting medical conditions. There are multiple precautions
travelers should consider before traveling to a higher altitude.
Travelers should always plan ahead and research their destination before arrival because
it’s always a good idea to see what you’re getting yourself into just to be on the safe side. Make
sure to take it slow and give your body plenty of time to adapt and adjust to these new unfamiliar
settings. While many travelers take altitude change into consideration, there are many that do
not. In the article “Journeys To High Altitude” authors Mieske, Flaherty and O’Brien explain
how “Many at-risk travelers remain naïve to the health risks of high altitude travel.” Many winter
sport athletes take it upon themselves to arrive a few days, and or weeks early to give their
bodies the proper adjustment time. This strategy is helpful for maintaining an athlete’s top
performance when competing or training in a high altitude environment. In the article “Altitude
Training Considerations For The Winter Sports Athlete” they explain how you should, “allow
time acclimatization for endurance sports: 3-5 days possible for low altitude; 1-2 weeks for
moderate altitude; and at least 2 weeks if possible for high altitude.” Whether you’re an aspiring
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athlete or not, it is always a good idea to research your destination and to allow plenty of time for
your body to adapt and adjust to its new setting. This process allows the body to adjust properly
and function to its full capability.
Travelers with a preexisting medical condition should always consult with a physician
before traveling to a higher altitude. According to an article in the Harvard Heart Letter, “The
higher you travel, the less oxygen you take in with each breath.” The common cold or flu could
quickly manifest into something fatal. With my near-death experience, the doctors told me I was
breathing through the size of a straw hole when I arrived in the Emergency Room in Northeast
Arizona, and was lucky to have come in when I did. They explained how the high altitude had
nearly doubled the severity of my sickness, and if I was still in Phoenix at a low altitude, that I
would have been fine. In many cases, physicians will increase medication dosage to patients with
preexisting conditions. People who suffer from asthma are often prescribed a more powerful
inhaler that is specifically made for high altitude. Another way travelers with preexisting medical
conditions can prepare for altitude travel is to contact others with the same condition and find out
what worked and didn’t work for them when they were in high altitude settings. There are many
resources online, like Web MD, which offer chat rooms and guidance about medical precautions
for people with the same conditions.
Once travelers reach their high altitude destination, they need to be in touch and in tune
with any warning signs their body is giving them. In the article “Adaption To High Altitude,” the
authors remind us “The primary challenge in each of these high altitude environments is the
decrease in oxygen, or hypoxia.” Travelers must remember to take it easy, and to not overdue it.
Start off slow and make sure you know your limits because nobody knows your own body better
than yourself, so always be aware and consult with a physician if something seems “off,” or
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different. If a travelers condition continues to get worse, and medication is not helping, the best
cure is to head to a lower altitude immediately.
Despite some of the risks when it comes to traveling to a high altitude, travelers should
not avoid traveling there due to this. With the proper research, readiness, and preparation for
your body and destination, travelers really have nothing to worry about. Just remember to always
listen to your body, and know and understand your limits. As long as travelers take these
recommendations into consideration, they will be safe, and no sudden surprises should take
place.
Works Cited
Moore, Lorna Grindlay, and Judith G. Regensteiner. "Adaptation To High Altitude." Annual
Review Of Anthropology 12. (1983): 285-304. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Oct.
2012.
Lee, Thomas. "Ask The Doctor." Harvard Heart Letter 20.8 (2010): 7-8. Academic Search
Premier. Web. 7 Oct. 2012.
Mieske, Kelly, Gerard Flaherty, and Timothy O'Brien. "Journeys To High Altitude—Risks
And Recommendations For Travelers With Preexisting Medical Conditions.” Journal
Of Travel Medicine 17.1 (2010): 48-62. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Oct. 2012.
Chapman, Robert F., Jonathon L. Stickford, and Benjamin D. Levine. "Altitude Training
Considerations For The Winter Athlete.” Experimental Physiology 95.3 (2010): 411421. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Oct. 2012.