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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Long Does It Take To Recover From Altitude Sickness?

Yes, I am a 50 year old woman. I live in Florida but just returned from Colorado. While there, I had symptoms of altitude sickness - waves of nausea and great fatigue.


I returned home last evening and was fine until about noon today and then the nausea and fatigue came back. I also feel a rapid heart beat. Does it take a while o recover from altitude?
Wed, 28 May 2014
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Thank you for asking!
That is quite a variable time frame depending upon the health of individual, extent of altitude and many associated factors which then decide what will be the time frame. Usually it takes maximum 7 days to 14 days to acclimatise.Everyone traveling to altitude is at risk, regardless of age, level of physical fitness, prior medical history, or previous altitude experience.

The high-altitude environment generally refers to elevations over 1500 m (4900 ft). Moderate altitude, 2000-3500 m (6600-11,500 ft) includes the elevation of many US ski resorts. Although arterial oxygen saturation is well maintained at these altitudes, low PO2 results in mild tissue hypoxia, and altitude illness is common. Very high altitude refers to elevations of 3500-5500 m (18,000 ft). Arterial oxygen saturation is not maintained in this range, and extreme hypoxemia can occur during sleep, with exercise, or illness. HACE and HAPE are most common at these altitudes. Extreme altitude is over 5500 m; above this altitude, successful long-term acclimatization is not possible and in fact deterioration ensues. Individuals must progressively acclimatize to intermediate altitudes to reach extreme altitude.
I hope it helps.Seek your doctor for further management.
take care
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How Long Does It Take To Recover From Altitude Sickness?

Thank you for asking! That is quite a variable time frame depending upon the health of individual, extent of altitude and many associated factors which then decide what will be the time frame. Usually it takes maximum 7 days to 14 days to acclimatise.Everyone traveling to altitude is at risk, regardless of age, level of physical fitness, prior medical history, or previous altitude experience. The high-altitude environment generally refers to elevations over 1500 m (4900 ft). Moderate altitude, 2000-3500 m (6600-11,500 ft) includes the elevation of many US ski resorts. Although arterial oxygen saturation is well maintained at these altitudes, low PO2 results in mild tissue hypoxia, and altitude illness is common. Very high altitude refers to elevations of 3500-5500 m (18,000 ft). Arterial oxygen saturation is not maintained in this range, and extreme hypoxemia can occur during sleep, with exercise, or illness. HACE and HAPE are most common at these altitudes. Extreme altitude is over 5500 m; above this altitude, successful long-term acclimatization is not possible and in fact deterioration ensues. Individuals must progressively acclimatize to intermediate altitudes to reach extreme altitude. I hope it helps.Seek your doctor for further management. take care