Something about mountain air is different. Lighter and brighter. Less oxygen and more UV rays. As with a lot of things in life, it has a lot of perks and some downsides, but it’s pretty easy to get a handle on the pitfalls your body may encounter due to these aspects of elevated living and recreation.
Mile-High Living
Greater Prescott is not equivalent to living in Tibet, or even Flagstaff’s almost 7,000 feet above sea level — Prescott itself stands at about 5,300 feet, the source of the “mile-high” references it shares with Denver, while Prescott Valley is just about at the 5,000-foot mark. Chino Valley and Dewey are a few hundred feet below. Humphreys Peak north of Flagstaff is Arizona’s highest point at 12,637 feet.
This is important because altitude sickness can strike starting at about 5,000 feet elevation, especially for those who are sensitive to changes in altitude. It’s more likely to happen when you get above 8,000 feet, the elevation of Greer and other White Mountains communities. It’s more likely to happen with physical exertion, which is exactly what all the hiking trails and craggy rocks beckon you to do, so be careful.
Almost anywhere you go in the world, there is an opportunity to go to a higher elevation and a possibility of experiencing symptoms related to reduced oxygen levels.
Here’s what you should know about it before heading into higher country.
A not-so-pleasant high
The atmosphere has the same percentage of oxygen as you move higher above sea level but barometric pressure, created by the weight of all the air’s molecules pushing down toward the Earth’s surface, decreases as you ascend to a higher elevation. The air is less dense the farther up you go, which means you inhale fewer oxygen molecules with each breath.
If your body has difficulty adapting to the lower level of available oxygen at higher elevation you could experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, muscle aches, shortness of breath and fatigue, all the result of different measures your body is taking to compensate.
In the mildest and most common form of altitude sickness, these can show up within a few hours after you arrive at the higher elevation and usually dissipate within a couple of days.
Fully acclimating to the higher elevation can take up to two weeks, and most residents quickly adapt to their new home after moving up from homes closer to sea level, but seniors and those with chronic conditions can still suffer the sudden onset of altitude-related issues after living at higher elevations for years.
Prevention and self-care
If you are susceptible to altitude-related illness and are heading uphill, you can reduce the possibility of symptoms by limiting your ascent to 1,000 to 1,640 feet per day once you are above 8,200 feet, take rest days to help yourself acclimate, return to a lower elevation to sleep and/or take medications like acetazolamide (brand name Diamox), which is available by prescription and increases oxygen levels within the body, on the day of the ascent to minimize the effect of changes in the atmosphere.
Anyone who is ascending as they travel should stay well-hydrated and cut back or eliminate alcohol consumption, since dehydration can exacerbate the symptoms of altitude sickness.
Rare but serious complications
The vast majority of altitude sickness cases never progress beyond the mildest form, which is also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), and last no more than a few days. But you should remain vigilant and watch for any signs of more severe illness in yourself and those around you.
There are two forms of it that can turn deadly in 24 hours if medical treatment isn’t received:
High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) This occurs when the lungs begin to fill with fluid because lower oxygen levels have caused blood vessels to constrict and fluid to start leaking into air sacs. This can happen two to five days after gaining elevation (to at least 8,200 feet) and can lead to death within 12 hours. Those who have pulmonary hypertension or have experienced HAPE in the past are at higher risk.
High altitude cerebral edema (HACE) The most severe form happens when lack of oxygen causes the brain’s capillaries to dilate and fluid to leak, leading the brain to swell and press against the skull. It’s most often experienced at elevations of over 13,000 feet.
Seek emergency treatment and move to a lower altitude, if possible, if you or someone else who has quickly gained altitude has a severe headache, acts confused or has an altered level of consciousness, becomes clumsy and uncoordinated, coughs or breathes rapidly or has a fast heartbeat while at rest.
Long-term considerations
Even for those who live full-time at higher elevations it’s worth paying attention to how your body responds over the long haul. The same conditions that can trigger altitude sickness in visitors can have subtler, cumulative effects on residents. Increased UV exposure, for example, doesn’t just mean a higher chance of sunburn on a weekend hike. It also raises the risk of long-term skin damage, which is why daily sunscreen use is just as important in Prescott as it is at the beach.
Sleep also can be affected. Some people notice lighter, more fragmented sleep at elevation, especially when they first arrive. Over time this usually improves, but if it persists it can contribute to fatigue and reduce overall well-being. Staying active, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and keeping indoor air well-humidified can help.
The upside is that many people thrive at elevation.
With proper acclimation, your body becomes more efficient at using oxygen, and outdoor activity becomes easier and more enjoyable. Like most environmental factors, altitude is something to respect, not fear. Pay attention to your body, take simple precautions and you can safely enjoy all the benefits that come with living a little closer to the sky.
