Aspen is more than a place for winter sports, it is a place where you can also have a lot of fun off the slopes. You can experience the fascinating nightlife and make new friends from all the around world because here all the skiers are comrades, no matter of their lodges or the social position they have at home. In Aspen, you can not get bored, as there are a million ways you can entertain yourself. No mater what you choose to do, in Aspen you can certainly have the time of your life. Yet there is one aspect that must be taken into account- the altitude.
Aspen is situated at 8000 feet above sea level. People visiting the area will require some time to adapt, for our bodies are not typically accustomed to functioning at that high of an altitude. If symptoms like dizziness or difficulty breathing appear during your visit, you should know you’re experiencing Altitude Sickness – a serious problem that requires a doctor’s visit.
There are two types of diseases that can affect you at high altitude. First is the above mentioned Altitude Sickness. In addition to dizziness and difficulty breathing, Altitude sickness can be recognized by increased urination, hyperventilation, nightmares and night waking. The other disease is called Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) and has as symptoms loss of appetite, weakness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, light-headedness and difficulty in sleeping. If the symptoms last more than 48 hours, it is compulsory to seek medical treatment. Altitude Mountain Sickness can be fatal if it is not treated accordingly.
Drinking alcohol is not recommended in the first 48 hours of your staying in Aspen. The high altitude will have a noticeable impact on the way your body handles the alcohol you consume. That is the reason why many people get drunk from a small quantity of alcohol in a short period of time.
Not only drinking can affect the body in a negative way. Doctors also recommend avoiding the exertion of too much effort in the first two days from your arrival to such high altitudes. Use these couple of days for getting accustomed with the town and to visit the entire region. You should always take a bottle of water with you, because hydration is very important when staying at such altitude. And don’t delay your visit to a doctor if you have the symptoms of Altitude Sickness or AMS. This visit may be crucial for the success or failure of your vacation.
