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Altitude sickness

Overview

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You can get altitude sickness if you're at a high altitude (usually more than 2,500 metres), especially if you travel or climb there too quickly.

Symptoms of altitude sickness include a headache, loss of appetite, feeling or being sick, tiredness, dizziness or difficulty sleeping.

If you have symptoms of altitude sickness, tell someone you're travelling with and do not climb or travel any higher until you feel better.

If altitude sickness is severe or does not get better, you may need treatment with oxygen or medicines such as steroid medicine.

The best way to reduce your risk of getting altitude sickness is to travel or climb to a higher altitude slowly so your body can get used to it.

Altitude sickness is the name for symptoms you can get when you're at a high altitude. It can sometimes be life-threatening.

Page last reviewed: 31/07/2023
Next review due: 31/07/2026