Altitude Sickness Overview
Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a condition that occurs when someone ascends to high altitudes too quickly, without giving the body enough time to adjust to the reduced oxygen levels. It commonly affects travellers, hikers, and climbers at elevations above 2,500 metres (8,200 feet), though some people may experience symptoms even lower.
The air becomes thinner the higher you go, meaning less oxygen is available with each breath. If the body doesn’t adapt gradually, symptoms like headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness can develop. These symptoms range from mild and uncomfortable to severe and life-threatening.
There are three main types of altitude sickness:
- Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) – The most common and mildest form.
- High-Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE) – Swelling of the brain; life-threatening.
- High-Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE) – Fluid in the lungs; also life-threatening.
In South Africa, this is rarely encountered at local elevations, but it becomes a real risk when travelling to mountainous regions such as Kilimanjaro, the Drakensberg, the Himalayas, or the Andes. Even healthy and fit individuals can develop symptoms if they ascend too quickly.
While mild altitude sickness usually resolves with rest or descent, severe forms require urgent medical attention. Preventing this sickness is often as simple as ascending slowly, staying hydrated, and allowing time for acclimatisation.
In the next section, we’ll explore what causes this sickness and why some people are more susceptible than others.
👉 [Next: Causes of Altitude Sickness]
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