What to do if you have a headache due to lack of oxygen at high altitude?

In recent years, many people like to travel to Tibet. Those who have been there know that Tibet is a high-altitude area. For those who have never been to high altitudes, the lack of oxygen on the plateau will generally cause altitude sickness the first time they go there. Since everyone's physical condition is different, the symptoms of altitude sickness are also different. So what should you do about the headache caused by lack of oxygen on the plateau? The following are methods to alleviate plateau hypoxia.

1. What medicine should I take for altitude sickness and headache?

1. If it is a common headache, you can use ordinary painkillers. This type of medicine has a relatively small irritation to the stomach. Aspirin is also okay, but it has a greater irritation to the stomach. Therefore, if you have stomach problems, it is best not to use aspirin, just use painkillers.

2. If high-altitude pulmonary edema occurs, the patient will experience headache, cough, difficulty breathing, palpitations, and bluish lips and face. The patient should be immediately placed in a semi-recumbent position to rest, given oxygen immediately, and then given furosemide or nifedipine. In order to prevent upper respiratory tract infection, antibiotics and dexamethasone can be used.

3. If the patient's blood pressure is too high, he can take stress-reducing medicine and then use a small amount of diuretic tablets to help effectively reduce the body's high blood pressure. If there is swelling in the eyes or lower limbs, aminophylline can be used for treatment. If the situation is more serious, hydrochlorothiazide can be used.

4. If the patient has already experienced altitude sickness, he can generally take drugs such as compound Codonopsis pilosula and Sulpiride for treatment. These drugs are quite effective in treating altitude sickness. It is best not to smoke or drink alcohol while taking the medicine. You can eat more carbohydrate foods.

Note:

Before entering the plateau, you must have a strict physical examination to see if your physical condition is suitable for going to the plateau. When you first arrive at the plateau, you will definitely feel uncomfortable at first, so you must prepare regular medicines in advance.

2. What should I do if I get a headache due to altitude sickness?

1. Oxygen

It takes time for the body to adapt to altitude sickness, and oxygen inhalation can delay the time it takes for the body to adapt to the plateau. So when you first enter Tibet, you can bring an oxygen tank and breathe it in if you have a headache. However, breathing oxygen cannot completely prevent altitude sickness, it can only provide temporary relief. Headaches will still occur after you stop breathing oxygen.

2. Take painkillers

The headache caused by altitude sickness can be relieved by taking some painkillers. Although they are not specific medicines, they have certain auxiliary therapeutic effects. Attention! Don't try to bear it when you have altitude sickness. If you can't stand the headache, taking medicine will not help, so go to the hospital.

3. Evacuate to lower altitudes

When altitude sickness causes a severe headache, immediately retreat to a place with a lower altitude and the symptoms will soon disappear on their own. You don't have to take injections or medicines anymore.

4. Avoid fast walking

Altitude sickness headaches are mainly caused by high altitude, thin air and brain hypoxia. Fast walking and strenuous exercise will increase oxygen consumption and aggravate physical discomfort. It is recommended to rest in bed when you have severe headaches and chest tightness to reduce your body's oxygen consumption.

5. Arrange your itinerary reasonably

When traveling to Tibet, you should go from low altitude to high altitude, so that the body can have a period of adaptation and will not easily experience severe headaches.

Some altitude sickness may not appear until the next day, so the itinerary planned after entering Tibet should not be too rushed to avoid overcoming the physical strain.

6. Don’t be afraid of altitude sickness

Many times psychological effects will aggravate altitude sickness. After arriving in Tibet, maintain a happy mood, follow a normal schedule, and don't focus on physical discomfort. The symptoms of headache and chest tightness will be much better.

People who suffer from mild altitude sickness can use this method to adjust their psychology, and the altitude sickness headache will gradually disappear.

Tips:

Altitude sickness will not kill people, but the complications are scary. Therefore, people with colds, fevers, anemia, and high blood pressure should not go to the plateau. Don't take a shower during the first two days after reaching the plateau, especially for people with altitude sickness, as they are prone to pulmonary edema and cerebral edema.