Have you ever wondered why water help with altitude sickness? Drinking water may help ease your symptoms and help prevent altitude sickness naturally. There are a number of theories about how it works, so let's explore them.
Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), altitude illness, hypobaropathy, "the altitude bends", or soroche, is a pathological effect of high altitude on humans, caused by acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude.
It commonly occurs above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters). It presents as a collection of nonspecific symptoms acquired at high altitude or in low air pressure, resembling a case of "flu, carbon monoxide poisoning, or a hangover" -- such as high altitude headaches, fatigue, dizziness and trouble breathing.
At higher altitudes, drinking water is a key step in how to avoid altitude sickness. Water helps with altitude sickness by aiding hydration and your body's acclimation to high altitudes.
Wondering why does drinking water help with altitude sickness?
The first thing that happens at high altitudes is that you can easily get dehydrated. The lack of oxygen present in the atmosphere causes your body to work harder to breathe which in turn increases your heart and breathing rate, causes other metabolic changes that increase fluid loss. A higher respiration rate means you lose more water through breathing, and even worse in dry climates.
Dehydration makes it harder for your body to cope with lower oxygen levels, which is one reason why altitude sickness can be so nasty. Drinking enough water will offset these affects of altitude and keep your body functioning properly while it adjusts to lower oxygen levels in the atmosphere.
Dehydration also causes red blood cells to clump together. Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. If they clump together, there are fewer red blood cells to carry the same amount of oxygen, so you're even more short of breath than normal! Keeping yourself hydrated prevents this from happening.
Other nutrients such as electrolytes and amino acids in hydration packets can help enhance your hydration. We recommend taking our Zaca chewable hydration tablets to help your body feel better faster.
According to Cleveland Clinic, you should drink plenty of fluids to help reduce your risk of altitude sickness and other symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS).¹
It's recommended that you drink about 3-4 quarts of water per day, equivalent to about a gallon, while at a high altitude.¹ If you're going on an overnight excursion, bring extra water with you.
The more exertion you do at a high altitude, the more water your body will need.
Zaca hydration chewables helps increasing your body's ability to absorb water -- to help fight dehydration at high altitude. Made from natural elements, such as glutathione and glutamine, these chewables help to hydrate your body and replenish lost antioxidants so you can enjoy a better journey. Try Zaca hydration chewables today.
SOURCES:
1. Altitude Sickness Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15111-altitude-sickness
