I am looking forward to our trip in July to travel around Colorado, but am somewhat concerned about altitude issues. Anyone out there with suggestions on how to keep feeling good while at such heights?

Stay hydrated..drink lots of water.

Limit you alcohol intake..or better yet, don't partake of any alcohol for the first few days until you are acclimated to the altitude.

Yeah, alcohol always seems to effect my attitude, too...
A good smack seems to offer quick relief from really severe cases.

WAter is the best.
I have problems sleeping in high altitudes. I mean severe sleeping problems for the first several days. If this is true for you I found that those sleepy time teas help. Or maybe a light sleeping pill.
Keep energy snacks too...

Have fun

A good smack? Wow, I don't think I want to travel with you, TxTravelPro!

Nothing like a good Ambien or Valium to adjust the attitude!
(D)

Hi,
I've had an altitude problem in the past, and was a little concerned prior to my trip to Peru last September. (Altitude in Cusco is 11K ft.)
I have absolutely no idea if it was the reason for not getting sick, but 2 weeks prior to my trip I started taking garlic and ginko biloba tabs 2x day. (Google garlic ginko altitude)
I also did bring an rx of diamox (sp?) just in case but did not need it.
Marian

If you search this board, there's at least one thread with lot of tips on altitude issues. Staying hydrated and limiting extreme activity the first day, are both consistently recommended.

Also...eat light meals! My only altitude problems in CO surfaced after eating big meals (when I felt like I was going to faint). It took me years to realize why I always felt so terrible only the 1st nights of my business trips to Denver - starting right after dinner.

Different people are affected differently by altitude. I live at 8500 feet and some friends came out from Fla. one was able to chop wood for 3 hours with no problem, his wife got a bloody nose just sitting on the couch! I agree with lots of water and limited alcohol to start out. Although when my husband and I go to sea level we can each drink a case of beer and not get a buzz!!!!! haha!

LOL, TxTravelPro, do you mean a good smack for an ATTITUDE problem?
That is what I thought this title said , then I look again.
Re: ALTITUDE problems - my son got altitude sickness in Nepal and I know he said he did not take it slow enough or drink enough water.

Physicians and other experts will probably flame me for this, and rightly so, but I believe that altitude sickness is caused by the body's inability to absorb sufficient oxygen. The only cure is for the body to produce more red blood cells, which it will begin to do after a couple of weeks or so--how long it takes depends on how fit you are, but is also a very individual thing. So all you can do in the short run is treat the symptoms, as the other posters have said: drink plenty of water, don't overindulge in food or alcohol, and take it easy if your body tells you to. (A lot of what is called altitude sickness is plain old dehydration...) And look on the bright side: while some people do feel it, you may be one of the lucky ones who experiences no altitude issues at all!

Google the altitude sickness, the best way to treat it is to go up slowly. Also yes, Ginko helps! start taking 5 days in advance. And water, of course.

But all this is not for TxTravel of course

When we ski in the mountains, we avoid alcohol and caffeine for the first two days, take an aspirin every morning and every evening to thin the blood and improve oxygenation, and drink lots of water.

It is my understanding that caffeine and alcohol are both dehydrating, as is the altitude, and just how may dehydrating things can you do to your body before it revolts?

Thanks for all the advice. I will try them all. Water surely can't hurt...the ginko should sharpen my mind, the garlic help with my cholestral, and the asprin keep me from a heart attack...I had also read somewhere about the prescription...will have that along as well. I don't drink so that is a given. Hopefully I will make it through all of this and feel great! You guys are great!

PLEASE don not take ginko and aspirin together and never if you have a bleeding disorder or are on Warfarin or Coumadin (same thing basically). High altitude somewhat thins the blood anyway. Thin blood means the clotting factor is down (PT&PTT) and thus if you bleed out, like a nosebleed, you can bleed to death, if injured make sure to tell paramedics ER or MD that you have taken ginko or aspirin.
I do agree with plenty of water. This has to do with the low humidity not so much thinner air.
Mostly, anyone with a past history of asthma, even just one attack, should have an inhaler or rescue breather with them.
I am not an asthmatic but while in the Coronado (not Colorado) mountains in southern AZ I had a severe asthma attack and was 2 hours from assistance. Had my son not had his inhaler with him, I would not have survived.
PLEASE check with your doctor before traveling to any type of change you are not used to. Climate, altitude, humidity, temperature. Traveling is not fun for anyone if you must spend time in the ER. Those who say, it won't happen to me are the ones that these things happen to.
Travel Happy travel safe.

Go to the "Search this forum" box and type in altitude sickness. There have been lots of threads about it.

Thanks for the advice about the ginko and the asprin. Yes...and I will be sure to take my inhaler too. Good grief...but I want to see Manchu Pichu some time in Peru...if I make it through Colorado I guess I can assume I will survive it as well.

more water and less booze. depending on the length of your stay try to do stuff on the front range (5000 feet) the first day or so then make your way to the higher altitude adventures (7500 in summit county up to 10,000 in leadville and 12-13 over a couple of the passes). helps your body get used to the altitude more gradually.