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BACKPACKING ARTICLES
Many people have reported better performance or less altitude sickness when using Ginkgo Biloba. In Ecuador we drank "mate de coca" (tea of coca leaves) before going to 20,600 feet on Chimborazo. Coca leaves are nothing like the cocaine they are processed into, and have been used for centuries to help people function better at high altitude.
The other thing you can do to feel better when you are high in the mountains, is to breath more. Surprisingly, there doesn't seem to be a survival mechanism that makes us breath more deeply at altitude. We tend to continue our shallow-breathing habits. So consciously try to breath more.
Climbers who intend to travel at high altitude should ask a doctor about the latest recommendations for medicines to take. For backpackers and others who primarily pass through high altitude for short periods of time, aspirin will help most headaches. The primary treatment for all altitude problems is to go lower. Often a descent of just 2,000 feet will resolve any problems, but in general, just keep going lower until the problem is resolved.
Swelling of the fingers is common at high altitude as well. This requires no treatment, and will usually go away when you descend. Increased gas and flatulence is a problem at altitude as well. Eat fewer foods that cause gas to avoid this problem.
Another thing to remember is that the higher you go, the worse your ability to digest food gets. Try to stick to easy-to-digest foods like simple carbohydrates while you are above 10,000 feet.
Dehydration can cause headaches and other symptoms similar to high altitude illnesses. Often water supplies are rare or inconvenient at altitude (setting up the stove to melt snow repeatedly). Add to that the fact that you won't feel as dehydrated in the cooler air, and it is easy to forget to drink enough. At least start fully hydrated before going high up, and have your water bottles full.
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