Individuals with a past history of altitude sickness, as well as those who tend to retain fluids and hypoventilate, are also at greater risk. W omen are probably not significantly different then men with respect to their risk of altitude sickness. Occasionally you will hear that being on the birth control pill at high altitudes is not desirable. Here, the concern is that it might increase one's risk of developing a blood clot. O ther factors which might also contribute include dehydration, tight clothing, an increase in your red blood cells, and the tendency to scrunch up in small tents for prolonged periods.
Symptoms resemble a hangover in many ways, with headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and insomnia.
In addition to the symptoms mentioned, unsteadiness and irrational behaviour may he characteristic. Perhaps this is the reason that unfortunate Everest climbers find themselves falling into crevasses. HACE will proceed to coma and death if it is not recognized and treated promptly. Once again, if it goes unrecognized, coma and death may be the end result. It may cause some tingling around the mouth and extremities.