Reno Altitude Sickness: Complete Guide & 6 Tips

Altitude sickness is a common concern for those traveling to the high-altitude destination of Reno, Nevada. As a high-altitude based company, in this comprehensive guide we'll delve into Reno altitude and our best six tips to avoid Reno altitude sickness.

Reno Altitude

Reno altitude sits at 4,505 feet above sea level. East of the Sierra Nevada, Reno is one of the highest cities in the state.

Reno altitude 4,505 ft (1,373 m)

The breathtaking landscapes and thrilling outdoor activities in the high elevations of Reno attract visitors year-round. This includes those flying into the Reno-Tahoe International Airport with a similar altitude of 4,415 feet.

Reno is also a stones throw away from other high altitude destinations including the famous Lake Tahoe at 6,225 feet high.

Is Reno Considered High Altitude?

Yes, Reno is considered high altitude.

The definition of high altitude listed by Cornell is anything over 4,000 feet.³ At 4,505 feet, Reno exceeds this threshold.

Can You Get Altitude Sickness In Reno Nevada?

Yes, you get altitude sickness in Reno Nevada.

According to Julian Klapowitz MD at Travel Medicine Consultants, altitude sickness can begin to occur in elevations as low as 4,000 feet.⁴ While Reno is on the lower scale for high-altitude cities, this puts it on the map for risk of altitude sickness, especially for visitors coming from sea level.

Taking proper precautions for altitude sickness is a must as most people can be set back by Reno's high elevation.

How Much Above Sea Level Is Reno?

Reno is 4,505 feet or 1,373 meters above sea level.

Reno Altitude Sickness

Rena altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness AMS) happens from the reduced oxygen levels in the thinner air.

It's estimate Reno has 15% less oxygen levels than at sea level.⁵ Combine this with increased physiological challenges including oxidative stress and dehydration, symptoms of altitude sickness can develop including headaches, trouble breathing, and fatigue.

Symptoms of Reno altitude sickness may include:

nausea
headache
vomiting
fatigue or tiredness
weakness
dizziness or lightheadedness
loss of appetite
difficulty breathing
feeling ill
trouble sleeping or insomnia

These signs of altitude sickness in Reno can start to develop within 6-24 hours upon arrival. Be on the lookout and take precautions by following our tips below.

6 Tips To Avoid Reno Altitude Sickness

Reno offers an unforgettable experience, but the high elevation can lead to discomfort if not managed properly.

As a high-altitude company out of Colorado, we'll share our top tips to avoid Reno altitude sickness based on experience.

Here's 6 Tips To Help Avoid Reno Altitude Sickness:

1. Hydrate Properly

It's noted by the Wilderness Medical Society that due to increased respiration, you lose water twice as fast at high elevation.⁷ The dry high desert air of Reno can make this even worse.

To hydrate properly, aim to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of water per day while in Reno.

TIP: For enhancing hydration, add sea salt to your food/water, and take Zaca's chewable tablets to increase water absorption.

2. Slowly Acclimate

While Reno is at a moderately high altitude, its surrounding mountains get much such as Peavine Peak at 8,131 feet. If you're going beyond the casinos and games into the great outdoors, you'll want to slowly acclimate to allow your body time to adjust.

This means when you first fly into Reno, you should stay at least 1-2 nights in the city before venturing to any higher altitude destination. Even some might go as far as Lake Tahoe where elevations get up to 10,067 feet, so making gradually ascents will help will ease the change on your body.

3. Get Plenty Of Sleep

Sleep is paramount when staying at high altitudes. It can help your body recover better, and even aid in blood flow and oxygen.⁸

7-9 hours of sleep is best to get optimal rest. There's also evidence to shows that getting plenty of natural sunlight during the day can also help melatonin product and sleep quality.

4. Avoid Strenuous Activity

Reno offers an array of exciting outdoor activities, but it's best to ease into them to avoid exacerbating altitude sickness. Strenuous exercise at high altitudes can put a strain on your body, leading to fatigue and breathlessness.

Allow your body to acclimate before engaging in intense physical endeavors like hiking Reno's beautiful mountains. Gradually increase your activity levels as your body adjusts.

5. Limit Alcohol Consumption

While it might be tempting to indulge in Reno's vibrant nightlife, alcohol can worsen altitude sickness. Alcohol can cause dehydration, decrease sleep quality, and often leads to headaches and nausea.⁹

Limited alcohol consumption when you first arrive. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation until you're free of any altitude sickness signs.

6. Supplement Antioxidants

Oxidative stress is shown to increase as you get into high altitudes.¹⁰ Antioxidants play a key role in oxidative stress, and even glutathione was shown in a high-altitude study to deplete by 45%.¹¹

With antioxidants shown as a promising solution,¹² you can supplement antioxidants like glutathione to replenish and restore your levels.

By following these six tips, you can help avoid Reno altitude sickness to better enjoy your visit — including hydrating properly, slowly acclimating, getting plenty of sleep, avoiding strenuous activity, limiting alcohol consumption, and supplementing antioxidants.

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Altitude Supplement Nevada
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SOURCES:

1. Reno Nevada Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reno,_Nevada
2. Effects of high altitude on humans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_high_altitude_on_humans
3. Cornell High Altitude Definition
https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=2cf9863f85f2f25b6e5e0a2e9dacfe7b&term_occur=5&term_src=Title:40:Chapter:I:Subchapter:C:Part:86:Subpart:S:86.1810-09
4. High Altitude Illness
https://www.travelsurenyc.com/high-altitude-illness/
5. Oxygen Levels at Altitude
https://wildsafe.org/resources/ask-the-experts/altitude-safety-101/oxygen-levels/
6. Reno–Tahoe International Airport Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reno%E2%80%93Tahoe_International_Airport
7. 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
8. Sleep: The Secret Ingredient of Injury Recovery
https://www.orthocarolina.com/media/sleep-the-secret-ingredient-of-injury-recovery
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/
13. Reno Forum Altitude and Breathing Problems - Reno's altitude
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g45992-i246-k4325071-Altitude_and_breathing_problems-Reno_Nevada.html

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