Mountain Sickness Treatment: What Works and What to Avoid

When you climb high enough, your body struggles to get enough oxygen—that’s mountain sickness, a group of symptoms caused by low oxygen levels at high altitudes. Also known as acute mountain sickness, it can hit anyone, no matter how fit they are. If you’ve ever felt dizzy, nauseous, or out of breath above 8,000 feet, you’ve probably experienced it.

It’s not just about breathing harder. altitude sickness, the broader term covering mild to severe reactions to high elevation, includes headaches, fatigue, and in worst cases, fluid in the lungs or brain. The key is catching it early. Many people think popping painkillers is enough, but that’s like putting a bandage on a broken bone. Real mountain sickness treatment, involves slowing down, hydrating, and sometimes using medication to help your body adjust. High altitude illness isn’t something you tough out—it’s something you manage smartly.

You don’t need to be a mountaineer to face this. Hikers in the Rockies, travelers to the Andes, even people flying into high-altitude cities like La Paz or Cusco can get hit. The good news? Most cases are mild and fixable. The best treatment? Stop climbing. Rest. Drink water. Let your body catch up. If symptoms don’t improve in 24 hours, going lower is the only real solution. Medications like acetazolamide, a prescription drug that helps your body adapt faster by increasing breathing rate can speed up acclimatization, but they’re not magic pills. They work best when taken before you even start climbing.

Some folks swear by ginger, coca leaves, or vitamin supplements—but science doesn’t back most of these. What does work? Time. Oxygen. Hydration. And knowing when to turn back. You won’t find a single miracle fix, but you’ll find dozens of real stories from people who got through it without disaster. Below, you’ll see guides that break down exactly how to prevent it, what drugs actually help, how to recognize the warning signs before it’s too late, and what to pack for a safe trip up high.