Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsElevation RangesSymptomsCausesRisk FactorsTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Elevation Ranges
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
If you enjoy hiking or skiing in the mountains, you may be aware of one of the most common side effects of spending time in high-altitude settings: altitude headaches. These occur when a person ascends to high altitudes.It is the most prominent symptom of acute mountain sickness (AMS), which can also include other symptoms such as dizziness, muscle aches, andnausea.
This article reviews why altitude headaches occur and how to prevent them.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Elevation Range for Altitude Headache
People who travel to destinations with an altitude higher than 8,000 feet above sea level may experience altitude headaches and other acute mountain illness symptoms.
At higher altitudes, a decrease in barometric pressure lowers the oxygen capacity in your cells, called cellularhypoxia. This results in aheadache. Symptoms worsen as you travel to even higher altitudes.
Headache Sensation and Location
Other Signs of Altitude Sickness
Altitude headaches are the most common symptom of AMS, but symptoms can include:
Prevalence of Altitude-Related HeadachesThe American Migraine Association reports that around half of people who ascend to higher than 9,900 feet above sea level will develop a headache.
Prevalence of Altitude-Related Headaches
The American Migraine Association reports that around half of people who ascend to higher than 9,900 feet above sea level will develop a headache.
What Causes Jet Lag and What Can You Do to Manage and Prevent It
As you travel to high altitudes, there is decreased oxygen for yourlungsto breathe. As a result, you can develop hypoxia, or low oxygen, in the bloodstream. Hypoxia can then lower oxygen in body tissues, such as the brain.
Research shows that hypoxia triggers altitude headaches, even in healthy people without a past history of headaches.
Many factors influence whether a person will develop an altitude headache or other AMS symptoms. These can include:
Recreational Activities
Sports and other types of physical activity take place in areas at a high altitude for many reasons.
Many sports and recreational activities occur only in high-altitude settings, such as mountainous areas. However, performing activities in high-altitude areas can put you at a higher risk for altitude headaches and other AMS symptoms.
Some professional and recreational athletes, such as football players, boxers, or gymnasts, train at high altitudes to maximize their endurance and athletic potential. Many athletes and coaches believe that training at high altitudes improves overall athletic performance better than training at sea level.
Some of the recreational activities associated with the highest levels of altitude headache and other AMS symptoms include:
In general, these activities can be safe as long as people acclimate slowly to new altitudes, take notice when AMS symptoms occur, get treatment when needed, and return to a lower altitude if symptoms are persistent or become dangerous.
Geographical Location
Areas in the United States with the tallest mountains (that ascend higher than 8,000 feet above sea level) are the most vulnerable to altitude headaches. These include:
Treatment for an altitude headache is similar to that for other types of headaches. This can include over-the-counter (OTC) products like ibuprofen and antinausea medication, if needed.
Many acute mountain sickness symptoms can also be relieved upon returning to a lower altitude. People must descend slowly to decrease the risk of:
HAPE and HACE are life-threatening forms of altitude illness. Both require immediate descent to a lower altitude and emergency medical treatment.
Prevention and Travel Advice
There are helpful ways to prevent or minimize the development of an altitude headache or other symptoms of AMS, such as:
Talk to your healthcare provider about medications you can take in advance of your trip that may help minimize or prevent altitude-related health issues, such asaspirin,furosemide, oracetazolamide.
Summary
Altitude headaches can occur in people who ascend to higher than 8,000 feet above sea level due to changes in barometric pressure. They commonly feel like intense, throbbing head pain that can develop and persist after being in high altitudes.
A Word From Verywell
High altitude sports and other recreational events provide enjoyment for many people. However, altitude headaches or other AMS symptoms can be painful, debilitating, or dangerous. It’s essential to understand the risks and symptoms to watch for before ascending to high altitudes. Before your next high-altitude trip, talk to your healthcare provider and discuss potential risks and treatments.
Treatment for an altitude headache is similar to that for other types of headaches and includes ibuprofen and antinausea medication if needed.
Altitude headaches can last up to five days.They may be relieved as soon as you return to a lower altitude.
The states most vulnerable to altitude headaches are those that have the tallest mountains (which ascend higher than 8,000 feet above sea level), such as:AlaskaCalifornia (mainly in the Sierra Nevada region)Colorado and Wyoming (Rocky Mountains)Washington
The states most vulnerable to altitude headaches are those that have the tallest mountains (which ascend higher than 8,000 feet above sea level), such as:
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Marmura MJ, Hernandez PB.High-altitude headache.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2015;19(5):9. doi:10.1007/s11916-015-0483-2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Travel to high altitudes.American Migraine Foundation.Altitude, acute mountain sickness, and headache.Broessner G, Rohregger J, Wille M, Lackner P, Ndayisaba JP, Burtscher M.Hypoxia triggers high-altitude headache with migraine features: A prospective trial.Cephalalgia. 2016 Jul;36(8):765-71. doi: 10.1177/0333102415610876. Epub 2015 Oct 20. PMID: 26487467. DOI:10.1177/0333102415610876Taylor AT.High-altitude illnesses: physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment.Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2011;2(1):e0022. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10022Khodaee M, Grothe HL, Seyfert JH, VanBaak K.Athletes at high altitude.Sports Health. 2016;8(2):126-132. doi:10.1177/1941738116630948DeWeber K, Scorza K.Return to activity at altitude after high-altitude illness.Sports Health. 2010;2(4):291-300. doi:10.1177/1941738110373065Taylor AT.High-altitude illnesses: physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment.Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2011;2(1):e0022. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10022Cui JH, Gao L, Xing WR, et. al.Role of oxygen therapy in prevention of chronic mountain sickness.2013;29(5):391-4.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Marmura MJ, Hernandez PB.High-altitude headache.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2015;19(5):9. doi:10.1007/s11916-015-0483-2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Travel to high altitudes.American Migraine Foundation.Altitude, acute mountain sickness, and headache.Broessner G, Rohregger J, Wille M, Lackner P, Ndayisaba JP, Burtscher M.Hypoxia triggers high-altitude headache with migraine features: A prospective trial.Cephalalgia. 2016 Jul;36(8):765-71. doi: 10.1177/0333102415610876. Epub 2015 Oct 20. PMID: 26487467. DOI:10.1177/0333102415610876Taylor AT.High-altitude illnesses: physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment.Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2011;2(1):e0022. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10022Khodaee M, Grothe HL, Seyfert JH, VanBaak K.Athletes at high altitude.Sports Health. 2016;8(2):126-132. doi:10.1177/1941738116630948DeWeber K, Scorza K.Return to activity at altitude after high-altitude illness.Sports Health. 2010;2(4):291-300. doi:10.1177/1941738110373065Taylor AT.High-altitude illnesses: physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment.Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2011;2(1):e0022. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10022Cui JH, Gao L, Xing WR, et. al.Role of oxygen therapy in prevention of chronic mountain sickness.2013;29(5):391-4.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Marmura MJ, Hernandez PB.High-altitude headache.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2015;19(5):9. doi:10.1007/s11916-015-0483-2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Travel to high altitudes.American Migraine Foundation.Altitude, acute mountain sickness, and headache.Broessner G, Rohregger J, Wille M, Lackner P, Ndayisaba JP, Burtscher M.Hypoxia triggers high-altitude headache with migraine features: A prospective trial.Cephalalgia. 2016 Jul;36(8):765-71. doi: 10.1177/0333102415610876. Epub 2015 Oct 20. PMID: 26487467. DOI:10.1177/0333102415610876Taylor AT.High-altitude illnesses: physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment.Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2011;2(1):e0022. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10022Khodaee M, Grothe HL, Seyfert JH, VanBaak K.Athletes at high altitude.Sports Health. 2016;8(2):126-132. doi:10.1177/1941738116630948DeWeber K, Scorza K.Return to activity at altitude after high-altitude illness.Sports Health. 2010;2(4):291-300. doi:10.1177/1941738110373065Taylor AT.High-altitude illnesses: physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment.Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2011;2(1):e0022. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10022Cui JH, Gao L, Xing WR, et. al.Role of oxygen therapy in prevention of chronic mountain sickness.2013;29(5):391-4.
Marmura MJ, Hernandez PB.High-altitude headache.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2015;19(5):9. doi:10.1007/s11916-015-0483-2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Travel to high altitudes.
American Migraine Foundation.Altitude, acute mountain sickness, and headache.
Broessner G, Rohregger J, Wille M, Lackner P, Ndayisaba JP, Burtscher M.Hypoxia triggers high-altitude headache with migraine features: A prospective trial.Cephalalgia. 2016 Jul;36(8):765-71. doi: 10.1177/0333102415610876. Epub 2015 Oct 20. PMID: 26487467. DOI:10.1177/0333102415610876
Taylor AT.High-altitude illnesses: physiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment.Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2011;2(1):e0022. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10022
Khodaee M, Grothe HL, Seyfert JH, VanBaak K.Athletes at high altitude.Sports Health. 2016;8(2):126-132. doi:10.1177/1941738116630948
DeWeber K, Scorza K.Return to activity at altitude after high-altitude illness.Sports Health. 2010;2(4):291-300. doi:10.1177/1941738110373065
Cui JH, Gao L, Xing WR, et. al.Role of oxygen therapy in prevention of chronic mountain sickness.2013;29(5):391-4.
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