Höjdsjuka: Symptom, risker och hur du skyddar dig på höga höjder

When you climb high, your body doesn’t get enough oxygen – and that’s when höjdsjuka, en sjukdom som uppstår när kroppen inte anpassar sig till låg syrekoncentration på höga höjder. Also known as höghöjdssjukdom, it affects anyone, no matter how fit they are. It’s not just about feeling tired – it’s your body screaming for time to adjust. Many people think only extreme climbers get it, but even a short trip to the mountains or a flight to a high-altitude city like La Paz can trigger it.

At 2,500 meters, your blood oxygen drops noticeably. Your heart beats faster, you breathe harder, and your body starts producing more red blood cells. But if you climb too fast, your body can’t keep up. That’s when akut höjdsjuka, den vanligaste formen, med huvudvärk, illamående och trötthet kicks in. Worse, it can turn into höjdsjuka med lungsvällning, en livshotande tillstånd där vätska samlas i lungorna or höjdsjuka med hjärnsvällning, där hjärnan sväller och kan leda till förvirring, fall och död. These aren’t rare – they happen to thousands every year, often because people ignore early signs.

You don’t need to be an athlete to avoid it. Slow ascent is the best medicine. If you’re going above 2,500 meters, don’t climb more than 500 meters per day after reaching that height. Sleep at a lower altitude than you climbed to. Drink water. Skip alcohol. Eat carbs. These aren’t tips – they’re survival rules. And if you feel a headache, nausea, or dizziness, don’t push through it. Descend. Now. The difference between waiting and acting can be life or death.

There’s no magic pill, but acetazolamide can help some people adjust faster – if taken before symptoms start. But it’s not a ticket to climb faster. It’s a safety net, not a shortcut. And remember: no mountain is worth your life. The posts below show you exactly what to watch for, how to prepare, what medications help (and which ones don’t), and real stories from people who made it back safely – and those who didn’t.