Altitude Sickness: What Grand Rapids, Michigan Travelers Need to Know

Residents of Grand Rapids who love skiing in the Rockies, hiking in Colorado, or traveling to high-altitude destinations overseas (like Peru or Nepal) need to understand altitude sickness. Even though West Michigan itself is low in elevation, many people from the Grand Rapids area travel to the mountains for outdoor recreation, especially during our long winters and school breaks.

Altitude sickness (also called mountain sickness or acute mountain sickness) can be harmful or even fatal if early signs are ignored. It is caused by ascending to high elevations too quickly, before your body has time to adjust to lower oxygen levels and reduced air pressure. This leads to hypobaric hypoxia—not enough oxygen reaching your body’s tissues.

In severe cases, fluid can build up in the lungs, the brain, or both, which is life-threatening.

What Is Altitude Sickness?

How Altitude Affects the Body

  • At intermediate altitude (about 1,500 to 2,500 meters / 4,900–8,200 feet above sea level), altitude illness is less likely but still possible.
  • Acute altitude sickness typically develops after at least 4 hours at an altitude above 2,000 meters (about 6,600 feet).
  • Ascending above 2,500 meters (about 8,200 feet) can trigger a range of symptoms, including headache and vomiting.

The higher and faster you go, the greater your risk. Flying from Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids directly into a high-altitude city (like Denver, La Paz, or Cusco) and then heading straight into the mountains increases your chance of altitude sickness.

Who Is at Risk?

  • Men appear to be at greater risk than women, for reasons that are not fully understood.
  • Being young, fit, or athletic does not protect you.
  • Having climbed at altitude before without problems does not guarantee you won’t get sick on a future trip.

Many Grand Rapids residents who are active in local gyms, on running trails along the Grand River, or in winter sports around Michigan may underestimate their risk when they head to the Rockies or other mountain regions.

Types of Altitude Sickness

There are two main severe forms of altitude sickness:

  • High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) – fluid builds up in the lungs
  • High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) – fluid builds up in the brain

In many severe cases, both occur at the same time.

A person with pulmonary edema can literally drown in fluid in their lungs. This is a medical emergency.

Early Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

Initial symptoms usually start within hours of arrival at altitude and may include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue or lethargy
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
  • Reduced physical performance (slower pace, tiring quickly)
  • Mild lack of coordination

These symptoms are warning signs that your body is not adjusting well.

Symptoms of Severe Altitude Sickness

Severe altitude sickness (HAPE or HACE) is life-threatening and requires immediate descent and urgent medical attention. Symptoms can include:

  • Shortness of breath (even at rest)
  • Rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations
  • Persistent or worsening headache
  • Blue-tinged lips, skin, or nails (cyanosis) due to low oxygen
  • Frequent coughing, often with:
    • Frothy sputum
    • Pink-tinged sputum (from damaged lung tissue)
  • Extreme fatigue, inability to walk in a straight line
  • Inability to sit up or stand without help
  • Confusion, disorientation, or irrational behavior (such as denying symptoms or refusing to descend)

If you or someone in your group shows these signs while traveling from Grand Rapids to a high-altitude area, treat it as a medical emergency.

Prevention: The Best Way to Avoid Altitude Sickness

The Only Sure Method: Ascend Slowly

The most effective prevention strategy is to gain altitude gradually so your body can acclimatize.

Once you are above 3,000 meters (about 9,800 feet):

  • Increase your sleeping altitude by no more than 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) per day
  • Take an extra rest day (no further ascent) for every additional 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) of elevation gain

This is especially important for Grand Rapids travelers who:

  • Fly directly into high-altitude airports
  • Have limited vacation time and may be tempted to rush their climb or trek

Other Prevention Tips

  • See your doctor in Grand Rapids before your trip
    • Ask about your personal risk factors
    • Discuss medications that may help prevent altitude sickness
  • Consider a high-carbohydrate diet before and during your trek (some climbers feel this helps, though evidence is mixed)
  • Plan your itinerary with built-in acclimatization days
  • Only climb with experienced guides who understand altitude illness
  • Use the buddy system – your partner may notice your symptoms before you do

Local primary care providers at Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health can offer pre-travel consultations. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can also provide general travel health information.

Medications for Prevention and Treatment

Acetazolamide (Diamox)

There is strong evidence that acetazolamide can help prevent altitude sickness. It:

  • Speeds up acclimatization
  • Is particularly useful if you are flying directly to high altitude and cannot ascend gradually

Talk with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider about:

  • Whether acetazolamide is appropriate for you
  • Proper dosage and timing
  • Possible side effects (such as tingling in fingers, increased urination)

Other Medications

Some medications have been used to reduce the risk of fluid in the lungs:

  • Salmeterol inhalers
  • Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (Viagra-like drugs)

However:

  • These are specialized treatments and should only be used under medical guidance
  • They can mask early warning signs of altitude sickness, which is dangerous

Nifedipine and dexamethasone are generally used as treatments for altitude sickness, not as first-line prevention, and only under medical supervision.

Hydration, Lifestyle, and Altitude Safety

Increase Your Fluid Intake

At high altitude, you may need up to 7 liters of fluid per day due to:

  • Increased breathing rate
  • Dry air (especially in cold mountain environments, similar to West Michigan winters but at much higher elevation)

Drink water and electrolyte fluids regularly. Avoid overhydration to the point of feeling bloated or nauseated.

Avoid Alcohol, Smoking, and Sedatives

  • Alcohol and cigarettes can worsen hypoxia (low oxygen) and impair judgment.
  • Sleeping tablets and other sedatives depress the central nervous system and can increase the risk of hypoxia during sleep. These should be avoided at altitude.

If you have had altitude sickness before, you are at higher risk in the future. Plan more conservative ascents and talk with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider before your next high-altitude trip.

Be Prepared: First Aid for Altitude Sickness

What to Pack

Before leaving Grand Rapids, pack a high-altitude first aid kit, including:

  • Basic first aid supplies
  • Pain relievers (e.g., aspirin or paracetamol/acetaminophen)
  • Any prescribed altitude medications (e.g., acetazolamide, dexamethasone)
  • A portable pulse oximeter (optional but useful for monitoring oxygen levels)
  • Access to or rental of portable oxygen if you are going to very high altitudes

If Someone Develops Mild to Moderate Symptoms

If a member of your group shows signs of altitude sickness:

  1. Do not climb any higher.
  2. Camp and wait at the same altitude until symptoms improve.
    • This may take a couple of days.
  3. Make sure they avoid alcohol and cigarettes.
  4. Give aspirin or paracetamol in the usual recommended doses for headache.
  5. Encourage deep breathing every few minutes to help lower carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
  6. If prescribed and available, give dexamethasone in recommended doses, but only as directed by a healthcare professional.

Monitor the person closely. Use the buddy system—people with altitude sickness often deny how sick they are and may resist descending.

Emergency Management: Severe Altitude Sickness

In severe cases (trouble breathing at rest, confusion, inability to walk straight, blue lips or nails):

  1. Descend immediately
    • Aim to go down 500–1,000 meters (1,600–3,300 feet) as quickly and safely as possible.
  2. If available, give diuretic medications (only if directed by a medical professional) to help reduce fluid accumulation.
  3. Administer oxygen from a portable oxygen cylinder via facemask or hood.

Never continue ascending if any symptoms of altitude sickness are present. Using oxygen or medication just to “push higher” can be fatal.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Altitude Sickness

In some high-altitude regions, portable hyperbaric chambers or hyperbaric oxygen therapy are used:

  • These are special chambers or bags that simulate lower altitude by increasing pressure.
  • Normal air at sea level contains about 21% oxygen; in hyperbaric therapy, patients can receive up to 100% oxygen.
  • This “floods” the body with oxygen and can temporarily relieve symptoms of altitude sickness.

In Grand Rapids, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is typically used for conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning, wound healing, and decompression sickness, and is available through major hospital systems such as Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) and Trinity Health Grand Rapids. It is not used locally for altitude sickness, but understanding the therapy is useful if you’re traveling to remote mountain areas where portable hyperbaric chambers are part of rescue setups.

When to Seek Medical Help in Grand Rapids

After returning from a high-altitude trip, contact a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids if you:

  • Had moderate or severe altitude sickness
  • Still feel short of breath, fatigued, or unwell
  • Are planning another high-altitude trip and want a pre-travel consultation

You can seek care from:

  • Your primary care provider
  • Travel medicine or internal medicine clinics at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health for general travel health guidance and vaccination information

Key Points for Grand Rapids Travelers

  • Ascending to heights above 2,500 meters can trigger symptoms such as headache, nausea, and vomiting.
  • Men appear to be at greater risk than women, though the reason is unclear.
  • The only reliable prevention is to ascend slowly and allow time to acclimatize.
  • Early symptoms include headache, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, and reduced performance.
  • Severe altitude sickness can cause inability to walk straight, shortness of breath, blue skin, coughing pink frothy sputum, and confusion—this is an emergency.
  • Never continue climbing if symptoms develop. Descend, rest, and seek medical advice.
  • For Grand Rapids residents planning mountain trips, consult a local healthcare provider before traveling to high-altitude destinations.