Approximately 25% of people experience an unpleasant period of acclimatization after they arrive in La Paz. This usually lasts for a few days, until the body adjusts to the altitude. Normal adjustment symptoms include mild headache, lack of energy and appetite, mild nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, and insomnia. Symptoms that may indicate that you need urgent medical care include severe fatigue, a severe headache, shortness of breath (especially if it continues at rest), vomiting, onset of a cough, lack of coordination, and confusion. If you are experiencing these symptoms, please call the Health Unit during office hours or the Duty Nurse after hours.
To ease your adjustment to high altitude, we recommend the following:
Take Diamox 125mg by mouth twice a day for two days before the flight and for
three days after arrival. If you are severely allergic to sulfa, you may find
Ginkgo Biloba to be helpful. Dexamethasone may also be prescribed.
Drink plenty of fluids. Water, Gatorade, Koolaid, and herbal teas (sweetened)
are especially helpful. Avoid drinking alcoholic, caffeinated, and carbonated
drinks for one week. Allow fizzy drinks to go flat before drinking.
Eat frequent, small, carbohydrate-loaded meals (pasta, potatoes, rice, and non-chocolate
candy). Avoid eating heavy, high fat meals, especially at night.
Limit your activities for the first few days. Avoid doing a lot of walking or
lifting. Children and young athletic adults are more likely to develop serious
complications, so guard them against over-activity until they are well adapted.
On the other hand, lying down and resting too long may actually increase the
headache.
Medications: Take two tablets of Tylenol, with a full glass of water, every
four hours for headache. Camomille (manzanilla) and coca tea may help alleviate
nausea.
Avoid drugs such as alcohol, sleeping pills, and narcotics that can interfere
with your breathing. Avoid "soroche remedies" such as "Coramine"
and "Micoren." These can increase adjustment symptoms. Avoid smoking
for a week.
Avoid eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Do not drink the water
from the faucet! Drink only bottled or distilled water. Don't eat raw fruits
or vegetables that you have not treated with a bleach solution. Order your meats
well-done and served hot.