ALTITUDE SICKNESS

Aspen sits at 7,908 feet. Up to 40% of people who ascend to around 8,000 feet experience some degree of acute mountain sickness — and most feel at least somewhat off for the first day or two.

It is not a fitness problem and it is not in your head. Here is what is happening, what helps, and when to get seen.

7,908 ft

Aspen elevation

Up to 40%

Of visitors affected

6–24 hrs

Until symptoms start

~4 days

To acclimate

What does altitude sickness feel like?

Symptoms begin within a few hours to a few days of arriving. Most people get one or two of these rather than all of them — often just a headache.

Headache — the most common symptom, usually first

Fatigue or weakness out of proportion to your day

Shortness of breath on mild exertion

Nausea or loss of appetite

Lightheadedness

Broken sleep, insomnia or vivid dreams

Hiker pausing at an Aspen mountain overlook

When to seek care immediately

Most altitude discomfort settles on its own. These symptoms should not be waited out:

Confusion or trouble thinking clearly

Difficulty walking straight or loss of coordination

Breathlessness at rest, not just on exertion

A wet cough or frothy, pink-tinged fluid

Blue or grey lips or fingernails

These can indicate high-altitude cerebral or pulmonary edema. Both are uncommon, both are serious, and both worsen quickly. Call 911 or go to Aspen Valley Hospital, 401 Castle Creek Road.

How altitude sickness is treated

Oxygen and descent are the only definitive treatments. Everything else is supportive.

Supplemental oxygen

Treats the underlying cause rather than masking symptoms. Most people notice a difference within an hour, and it helps considerably with sleep in the first few nights.

Stop ascending and rest

Don’t go higher until you feel better, and skip the strenuous plans. Pushing through reliably makes the next day worse.

Hydrate, skip alcohol

The dry air here dehydrates you through breathing alone. Alcohol and sleeping pills suppress breathing at exactly the wrong moment.

Medication

Ibuprofen eases altitude headache. Acetazolamide (Diamox) may speed acclimatization — Dr. Mahon can advise whether it’s right for you.

Talk to a physician

Phone and video consultations mean you can get an informed answer without leaving where you’re staying.

Descend if you worsen

Glenwood Springs is about 45 minutes away and roughly 2,000 feet lower. Descent works quickly when nothing else is.