FASCINATING STUFF... I was doing my weekly tune-in for Melissa (she does one for me, too) and the information came forward that the physical symptoms many of us are currently experiencing are a result of our ascending to a new place, and needing to acclimate to the higher frequencies. So, I googled "altitude sickness symptoms" and this is what I found:
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
AMS is very common at high altitude. At over 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) 75% of people will have mild symptoms. The occurrence of AMS is dependent upon the elevation, the rate of ascent, and individual susceptibility. Many people will experience mild AMS during the acclimatisation process. The symptoms usually start 12 to 24 hours after arrival at altitude and begin to decrease in severity around the third day.
The symptoms of Mild AMS include:
Headache
Nausea & Dizziness
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Disturbed sleep
General feeling of malaise
Symptoms tend to be worse at night and when respiratory drive is decreased. Mild AMS does not interfere with normal activity and symptoms generally subside within two to four days as the body acclimatises. As long as symptoms are mild, and only a nuisance, ascent can continue at a moderate rate. When hiking, it is essential that you communicate any symptoms of illness immediately to others on your trip.
Moderate AMS
The signs and symptoms of Moderate AMS include:-
Severe headache that is not relieved by medication
Nausea and vomiting, increasing weakness and fatigue
Shortness of breath
Decreased co-ordination (ataxia).
I don't know about any of you, but I've been feeling these symptoms for the last three weeks, ever since I went to Minneapolis and almost fainted on Saturday morning. It appears that we've "graduated" from our ascension symptoms into the acclimatisation symptoms, so that's why I wanted to bring this information forward for anyone to ponder. It makes sense to me, only in that I've been feeling almost carsick on and off for the past week, like I've been reading in the back seat. It's fascinating to me, and I know I'll have a lot to think about at least for the rest of the day.
To be in this new land, and to know that it's never been done before, and to realize that we're all in this together - well, it's exciting to me - I love adventure, the newness of not-knowing, like the explorers must feel, on the edge of a big discovery. Only this time, the discover is ourselves, and that's a grand discovery in my books. So we're all Edmund Hillary, ascending Everest for the first time, not knowing how we'll be affected or how we'll feel, but having that prid in knowing that we DID it - and it's never been done before. But now we're all asking the big question - NOW WHAT?
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3 comments:
I'm definately feeling this Susie. I was so restless last night, more than I ever have been before. I also have the pressure of fluid in my ears and I can't seem to drink enough water. These are good signs, but my head literally feels like it's in the clouds today. :)
Thank you for sharing this information, it's great to realize we are not alone in this magnificent journey (it is so important for me to remember that.)Thank you again Susie.
Oh Karen - I forgot an important tip for altitude sickness - DRINK A LOT OF WATER. Seriously, when I was in the mountains of Taos, New Mexico, they told us to take it slow and to drink a ton of water as you use it up more quickly at the higher altitudes, and that's what gives you the frontal headache (I've been having a lot of those, as well). So cool...
Thanks Suzie! Lots of water has helped (I took a long warm bath yesterday and it felt really great!)
BUT, I could hardly sleep last night... and when I woke up this morning, there was a BIG decision (I'm not sure what) that I didn't feel comfortable making at this time.
Are you having trouble staying asleep?
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