Medical Information

Prevention is key

-  Altitude illness is usually preventable if ascent is slow. This is not possible for skiers who proceed directly to, and sleep at ski areas. Persons travelling above 8,000 feet (wich includes Taos Ski Valley, Red River and Angel Fire) are most likely to be symptomatic. The chances increase to about 15% when sleeping above 8,000 feet. Being in excellent physical condition has no bearing on one´s ability to acclimate to altitude.

How can you improve acclimation to altitude ?

-  Sleeping a night or two at a lower elevation will help speed the body´s process of acclimatizing. [Albuquerque, Denver, Taos & Santa Fe}
-  Take it easy. Many skiers can not resist the urge to overdo it the first day or two only to ruin the rest of the week. Stop early when you start to feel fatigue or any prolonged breathlessness.
-  High Carbohydrate Diet. Increase carbohydrate intake (pasta, rice, pancakes) to 70% of total calories. This means reducing fat intake.
-  Avoid Alcohol, Tranquilizers & Sleeping Pills the first two nights. All of these things slow your body´s adjustments to elevation. This is critical if you exhibit any of the symptoms below.
-  Medication. There is prescription medication which helps prevent illness and speed acclimation.

Symptoms of altitude illness

M I L D	Headache Nausea Poor Appetite	Run down feeling Shortness of breath with exertion
	Mild symptoms are indistinguishable from a hangover. Take Tylenol or aspirin for headache. Benadryl for nausea. Avoid all alcohol.
M O D E R A T E	Headache not relieved by Tylemol/aspirin Vomiting Raspy cough	Weakness Balance/coordination problem
	If moderate symptoms occur seek medical care. Balance difficulty is highly predictive of serious progression of illness. See physician immediately !
S E V E R E	Wet cough. Shortness of breath at rest. Disoriented "Leave me alone." Too weak to eat or get up. Lips or fingernails blue in color.
	Seek medical help immediately !