Fill up on carbohydrates, with only enough proteins and fats to meet essential nutritional needs. Take it easy when first reaching higher altitudes. Overexertion can make you more susceptible to acute mountain sickness. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which cause dehydration, and smoking and sedatives. Ask your doctor about medication such as acetazolamide which can help your body acclimatize.
Some research suggests that ginkgo biloba can help protect the body against altitude sickness.
If someone is showing signs of altitude illness dizziness, apathy, loss of appetite, headache, confusion, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, or difficulties with breathing, walking or sleeping descend until the symptoms subside. Seek medical attention if the symptoms fail to subside. Severe altitude ill-ness can be fatal if left untreated. Inc. How things get done. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy .