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| Service | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Online Consultation for Acetazolamide | £0 | Start Consultation |
| In-Person Travel Consultation | £28 | Book Appointment |
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What is Altitude Sickness?
Altitude sickness is unpleasant and if not taken seriously, can turn into something serious and life-threatening.
Oxygen levels at high altitude are lower than that at sea-level. If travellers ascend rapidly to high altitudes, the body sometimes doesn’t have sufficient time to acclimatise, resulting in altitude sickness. Flying into magnificent destinations such as Cusco in Peru, La Paz in Bolivia, travelling to Bhutan, or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, can have unpleasant or life-threatening consequences if you are poorly prepared.
What are the symptoms of Altitude Sickness?
Symptoms of altitude usually appear within 24 hours of reaching 2,500m above sea-level and higher.
Mild symptoms can be quite similar to those of a bad hangover, such as:
- headache
- nausea and vomiting
- dizziness
- tiredness
- loss of appetite
- shortness of breath
Symptoms usually worsen at night. Altitude sickness can progress rapidly to more serious forms affecting either the lungs or the brain.
Pulmonary oedema may develop – a build-up of fluid in the lungs, reducing oxygen absorption and leading to breathlessness even at rest. There is a cough, with white, pink or frothy sputum, and the lips may turn blue.
A build-up of tissue fluid may also occur in the brain – cerebral oedema.
Features include headache, drowsiness, impaired coordination, abnormal or drunken behaviour, confusion, and impaired consciousness. Progression to coma may be rapid.
Altitude Sickness Tablets for Your High-Altitude Adventures
Prepare for high-altitude travel above 2,500 meters with acetazolamide tablets.
When taken preventively, acetazolamide tablets help your body adjust more quickly to higher altitudes, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience at your destination.
Acetazolamide can also help alleviate symptoms associated with altitude sickness when they occur, Acetazolamide tablets are your essential companion for altitude acclimatisation.
Come to us for a pre-travel consultation to discuss your plans for high altitude travel, or try our free online consultation today.
Our Patients Speak for Us
Kara Martin
I was feeling ill while visiting from the States and am so glad I found this clinic. They slotted me in right away and provided everything I needed in-house without having to go to a pharmacy. I’m sure that’s not the case for all medications, but it’s great they can offer that service and that I lucked out and could get back to exploring. If you’re a fellow visitor reading this and are looking for a place to go, I would definitely recommend! Very reasonably affordable, stress-free, and friendly.
Mr Mark Coffer
Dr Cave always delivers a compelling and thorough medical examination whilst retaining a good sense of humour and a reassuring manner. You could do no better than the Fleet Street Clinic for your MOT.
Cian Haynes
I highly recommend Fleet Street Clinic for travel vaccines. The experience was smooth and professional. Chiara was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and reassuring. She thoroughly explained each vaccine and made me feel at ease. The vaccinations were quick and relatively painless, with excellent aftercare advice. I feel well-protected for my travels thanks to Chiara and the team!
Jenny Gibson
We booked, we arrived and we had our vaccines. Everything as expected. What really stood out was the level of medical advice from the nurse giving us our injections. It was explained very clearly to us to the level of protection our vaccine would give. As this was a new vaccine the results of medical trials were also highlighted. There was no push to sell more products, just clear advice on what to avoid and what to do to prepare for our trip to the Far East.
Clare Elliott
Very easy to book. The nurse was great with my nervous daughter. I would recommend for travel vaccinations.
Ken McLean
This is a professional set up, first communications by telephone gave me positive vibes. Clinic is in a great central London location. Nurse doing the 'jabbing' was knowledgeable and slick! I will go back for future vaccinations.
Vlad Cochintoiu
Had a great experience booking and getting a last minute rapid rabies jab with Fleet Street Clinic! They even booked me in out of hours for my jab because it was the only way to do it before my travels! Thank you to everyone who assisted me.
P Croft
I went for a covid booster vaccination and my experience was excellent. I arrived 10 minutes early for my appointment, the lady doing it (Lucy) immediately swallowed the last of her doughnut and took me through. She put me at my ease by chatting pleasantly while she prepared things, and then the jab itself was so quick and painless – I literally didn’t feel a thing, including her applying the plaster afterwards! It was a first class experience, all in the delightful setting of the quaint shop in historic Fleet Street.
Grace G
The travel nurse was lovely and very efficient with giving me vaccines. She even took the time to nurse a wound I had whilst I was there. Really great care.
Kim London
Prompt access to knowledgeable and sympathetic advice and a reliable recommendation that will make me feel like 'a new woman'. What a relief! Thank you Dr Griffiths.
FAQs
High altitude destinations include popular locations that fall on the Andes mountain range in South America, such as Machu Picchu or La Paz in Bolivia. Other popular destinations include Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan or Tanzania (Mt Kilimanjaro).
Ascending slowly is the key to preventing altitude sickness, that includes flying directly to areas of high altitude. Ideally, choosing a longer trek with a slower ascent over more days will reduce your risk considerably. The most important factor is the altitude where you spend the night – hence the climber’s mantra for avoiding altitude sickness: “climb high, sleep low”. Ensure you maintain good hydration and nutrition throughout your ascent.
Many people who are doing serious trekking may choose to take a pulse oximeter with them. This is a small portable device that allows the monitoring of oxygen levels in the bloodstream.
The best treatment for altitude sickness is descent. Medication such as acetazolamide can help reduce symptoms, but if you think you have altitude sickness it is important for you not to ascend further – stop and rest where you are. Don’t climb to a higher altitude, stay put in order to acclimatise for at least 24 hours. If symptoms worsen, you will need to descend and seek medical assistance.