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Altitude Sickness

Altitude Sickness Advice and Prevention

Planning a trek, a mountain expedition, or even a holiday to a high-altitude destination is exciting. But the higher you climb, the thinner the air becomes, and for many travellers that means altitude sickness. It can range from a mild inconvenience to something genuinely dangerous, and the best way to manage it is to prepare properly before you travel. At Anna Pharmacy, our pharmacists can provide expert advice on altitude sickness prevention. We have branches in Carshalton, Sutton, and Hackbridge, and we also welcome patients from Croydon, Richmond, Epsom, Stoneleigh, and Wallington.
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Where Is This Service Available?

Altitude sickness advice and travel health service is available at all three Anna Pharmacy branches:

Anna Pharmacy Carshalton

398 Green Wrythe Lane
Carshalton Sutton
SM5 1JF
United Kingdom

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Anna Pharmacy Hackbridge

186 London Rd, Hackbridge
Wallington
SM6 7FW
United Kingdom

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Anna Pharmacy Tudor

107 Wrythe Ln
Sutton
Carshalton
SM5 2RR

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We also welcome patients travelling from the surrounding areas, including Croydon, Richmond, Epsom, Stoneleigh, and Wallington. Whichever branch is most convenient for you, our team is ready to help you prepare for your trip. 

What Is Altitude Sickness?

Altitude sickness occurs when the body struggles to adapt to reduced oxygen levels at high altitude. It typically affects people travelling to elevations above 2,500 metres, particularly when the ascent is rapid and the body does not have time to acclimatise gradually.

It can affect anyone regardless of age, fitness level, or previous experience at altitude. Even seasoned climbers can develop symptoms on a fast ascent. Popular destinations where altitude sickness is a real consideration include trekking routes in Nepal, such as those approaching Mount Everest base camp; Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; high-altitude regions of the Alps; and cities such as La Paz in Bolivia, which sits at over 3,600 metres.

For comprehensive clinical guidance on altitude sickness, the NHS provides reliable information at www.nhs.uk/conditions/altitude-sickness.

Altitude Sickness

Signs and Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

Symptoms usually begin within six to ten hours of reaching a high altitude and can vary in severity. Knowing what to look for means you can act quickly if things start to go wrong.

Mild Symptoms

  • A persistent headache, often described as throbbing or pressure-like
  • Unusual tiredness or fatigue despite adequate rest
  • Dizziness or light-headedness
  • Difficulty sleeping well at altitude

Serious Symptoms – Seek Immediate Medical Help

Descend immediately and seek emergency help if you or a fellow traveller experiences:

  • Severe breathlessness even while at rest
  • Confusion, disorientation, or unusual behaviour
  • Loss of coordination or difficulty walking in a straight line
  • A persistent cough, particularly one producing frothy or blood-tinged sputum
  • Blue or grey colouration of the lips, skin, or nails
  • Extreme drowsiness or difficulty being roused

How Anna Pharmacy Can Help You Travel Safely

Preparation is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce your risk of altitude sickness. Our pharmacists are trained in travel health and can provide personalised advice before your trip. Here is what to expect:

A Travel Health Consultation

Our pharmacist will ask about your destination, your planned ascent rate, your health history, and any previous experience of altitude sickness. This helps us give you advice that is specific to your trip rather than generic guidance.

Prevention Medication Where Appropriate

For those travelling to very high altitudes quickly or with a history of altitude sickness, preventive medication may be appropriate. Our pharmacists can discuss whether this is suitable for you, explain how it works, and advise on correct usage before and during your ascent.

Practical Advice for Your Trip

We will give you clear, practical guidance on acclimatisation strategies, hydration, pacing your ascent, and what to do if symptoms develop while you are away. Knowing what to do in advance can make all the difference.

Wider Travel Health Support

Altitude sickness advice is part of our broader travel health service. We can also advise on relevant vaccinations and antimalarials for your destination so that your full travel health picture is covered in one appointment.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Altitude Sickness

Good planning and a sensible ascent profile are the most reliable ways to stay well at altitude. Here are the key things to do and avoid:

Do

  • Ascend slowly and allow time to acclimatise.
  • Spend a few days below 2,500 metres before heading higher.
  • Build in rest days at the same altitude every three to four days once above 3,000 metres.
  • Stay well hydrated throughout your trip.

Do Not

  • Ascend too quickly to high altitude.
  • Sleep more than 500 metres higher than the previous night once above 3,000 metres.
  • Drink alcohol during your ascent, as it worsens dehydration and impairs acclimatisation .

Prepare for High-Altitude Travel with Confidence

The time to think about altitude sickness is before you board the plane, not when you are already at 4,000 metres with a pounding headache. Book your travel health appointment at any of our three branches and travel with confidence.
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Frequently asked questions

Anyone travelling above 2,500 metres is at potential risk, regardless of age, fitness, or experience. There is no reliable way to predict who will be affected, which is why gradual acclimatisation and proper preparation matter for everyone making a high-altitude trip.
If symptoms are mild, stop your ascent and rest at your current altitude until you feel better. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help manage headache discomfort. Do not continue climbing until you feel fully well. If symptoms worsen or do not improve within 24 hours, descend to a lower altitude. If severe symptoms develop, descend immediately and seek emergency medical assistance.
Mild altitude sickness typically resolves within one to three days of resting at the same altitude, as the body gradually acclimatises. If symptoms persist beyond 24 hours without improvement, descent is recommended. Severe altitude sickness requires prompt descent and medical treatment regardless of how long symptoms have been present.
Having had altitude sickness previously does increase your risk of experiencing it again. However, with the right preparation, gradual ascent, and, where appropriate, preventive medication, many people who have previously been affected go on to have trouble-free high-altitude trips. Book a consultation with our team before your next adventure, and we will help you plan accordingly.
No. They are completely different conditions. Jet lag is caused by disruption to the body’s internal clock following travel across time zones. Altitude sickness is caused by reduced oxygen availability at high elevations. You can experience both on the same trip if you fly across time zones to a high-altitude destination, which is another good reason to rest on arrival before ascending further.

You can get altitude sickness medication at Anna Pharmacy Carshalton. Our travel health team serves Carshalton, Sutton, Epsom, Wimbledon and Croydon, making it easy to prepare for your next adventure.

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