Florida To Colorado Altitude Sickness: Guide With 6 Tips

Florida To Colorado Altitude Sickness

Whether moving or vacationing from the sunny shores of Florida to the breathtaking heights of Colorado, altitude sickness is a challenge. In this guide, as a local based Colorado company we'll delve into Florida to Colorado altitude sickness and our top tips to avoid it.

Florida To Colorado Altitude Sickness

Going from sea level in Florida to Colorado's high altitudes can be particularly challenging. Denver, known as the "Mile-High City," sits at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,609 meters). While other parts of Colorado can reach even much higher elevations.

Florida to Colorado altitude sickness is commonly experienced when visiting. Altitude sickness is caused by the lower oxygen levels at higher elevations.

The lower oxygen levels leads to oxidative stress, dehydration, and other physiological stresses that accumulate on the body. Headache, nausea, and other symptoms are common to happen within 6-24 upon arrival.

Common symptoms of Florida to Colorado altitude sickness:

  • headache
  • sleeping issues or insomnia
  • nausea or vomiting
  • fatigue or tiredness
  • weakness
  • dizziness
  • loss of appetite
  • problems breathing
  • feeling ill

Be on the lookout for these signs of Florida to Colorado altitude sickness, and keep reading to find out our best tips to avoid it by taking precautions.

How High Is The Elevation In Colorado?

Colorado's mean elevation is 6,800 feet above sea level. This is a drastic jump from the beaches of Florida that leads to a high risk of altitude sickness.

  • Colorado altitude (mean) - 6,800 ft (2,074m)

Colorado is considered the highest state in all of America. With the Rocky Mountains, there's a big range in altitudes yet most exceed the threshold of having a risk of altitude sickness.

Here's a short sample of high-altitude destinations in Colorado:

  • Denver altitude - 5,280 ft (1609 m)
  • Aspen altitude - 7,908 feet (2,438 m)
  • Mount Elbert altitude - 14,440 ft (4,401 m)
  • Breckenridge altitude 9,600 ft (2,900 m)
  • Telluride altitude - 8,750 feet (2,670 m)

As you can see, the altitudes in Colorado get very high and can therefore be a challenge for most visitors.

Can You Get Altitude Sickness Traveling To Colorado?

Yes, you can get altitude sickness traveling to Colorado.

If traveling to Colorado from a place like Florida at sea level, your risk of altitude sickness will go up substantially. 

Oxygen levels in Colorado are estimated between 16% to 38% lower than found at sea level in Florida. With such a rapid change in altitude, it creates the exact recipe for altitude sickness.

Travel Medicine Consultants states that altitude sickness can begin in altitudes as low of 4,000 feet.⁴ And at 10,000 feet, it's estimated that up to 50% will experience altitude sickness,⁵ proving that Colorado presents high risks of altitude sickness.

6 Tips To Avoid Colorado Altitude Sickness

Getting Florida to Colorado altitude sickness is quite common due to traveling from sea level.

As a local Colorado company, we've had over a decade of experience with the high altitudes and have numerous research to help you.

Here's 6 Tips To Avoid Colorado Altitude Sickness:

1. Gradually Ascend & Acclimate

When you arrive in Colorado, especially if you're coming Florida at sea level, it's essential to give your body time to adjust and acclimate. Avoid rushing to higher elevations in the Rocky Mountains immediately.

Spend the first few days at lower altitudes of Denver, which is 5,280 feet high. This can allow your body to acclimatize gradually before you head to elevations in the mountains such as Vail at 8,150 feet high.

2. Prioritize Hydration

The dry air can lead to increased loss of water through respiration which may exacerbate altitude sickness symptoms. One study showed fluid loss can happen twice as fast at high altitudes.⁶

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, aim for at least half your body weight in water each day.

TIP: To maximize hydration you should add sea salt (naturally contains minerals) to your water/food, and take Zaca's hydration packets that aids in water absorption through the power of glutamine.

3. Get Adequate Sleep

Adequate rest and sleep is key for your body to adapt. OrthoCarolina notes that sleep helps bring oxygen and nutrients to help recover and regenerate your cells.⁷

Ensure you get a good night's sleep with 7-9 hours of sleep during your Colorado visit. Getting natural sunlight during the day can also help boost melatonin production at night, helping your sleep.

4. Limit Strenuous Activity

While it's tempting to explore the beautiful Colorado landscapes, it's essential to limit strenuous physical activities during your first few days of arrival. Overexertion can increase risks and unnecessarily burden the body.

Start with light activities and gradually increase your level of exertion, avoiding any high altitude hike or workout until you feel free of any altitude sickness signs.

5. Avoid Alcohol 

Alcohol can have a more pronounced effect at high altitudes such as having drinks in the mile high city of Denver.⁸ You can further worsen dehydration and lower sleep quality when drinking alcohol.⁹

It's best to avoid alcohol, especially during your initial days in Colorado until acclimated, to minimize the risk of altitude-related discomfort.

6. Take Glutathione 

Your body will combat increased oxidative stress from the high altitudes.¹⁰ So much that glutathione was shown in research to deplete up to 45% from high altitude conditions.¹¹

Taking antioxidants is known as promising solution for oxidative stress.¹² Taking glutathione, known as the body's master antioxidant, can help replenish your levels and fortify your body.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of having a more enjoyable experience moving to or visiting Colorado. These tips to avoid Florida to Colorado altitude sickness include gradually ascending and acclimating, prioritizing hydration, getting adequate sleep, limiting strenuous activity, avoiding alcohol, and taking glutathione.

Local Colorado Mountain Supplement

Altitude Tablets
Founded out of the heart of Colorado, Zaca chewables provide your body with essential antioxidants, amino acids, and nutrients. With just a few tiny chewables, you can bounce back faster through hydrating and reviving. Specifically formulated with glutathione, you can ensure to replenish your body in the mountains. No more struggling with pills or bitter tasting supplements, Zaca's berry flavored chewables are a delight for your taste buds and easy to use. Simply take 2-4 chewables per day or as preferred. Try Zaca's chewable supplement today and feel your best while traveling.

 

 














SOURCES:

1. Colorado Altitude and Colorado Altitude Sickness
https://zacalife.com/blogs/blog/colorado-altitude-sickness
2. Oxygen Levels at Altitude
https://wildsafe.org/resources/ask-the-experts/altitude-safety-101/oxygen-levels/
3. Climate of Colorado And Average Altitude
https://climate.colostate.edu/climate_long.html
4. High Altitude Illness
https://www.travelsurenyc.com/high-altitude-illness/
5. Patient education: High-altitude illness (including mountain sickness)
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/high-altitude-illness-including-mountain-sickness-beyond-the-basics/
6. Why Do You Need to Drink a Lot of Water at a High Altitude?
https://www.livestrong.com/article/360485-how-to-train-for-high-altitude-hiking
7. Sleep: The Secret Ingredient of Injury Recovery
https://www.orthocarolina.com/media/sleep-the-secret-ingredient-of-injury-recovery
8. Denver High Altitude Tips
https://www.denver.org/about-denver/resources/high-altitude-tips/
9. Effects of Alcohol
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.HYP.29.6.1278#
10. High altitude and oxidative stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482529/
11. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
12. Oxidative Stress and Diseases Associated with High-Altitude Exposure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8868315/