Don’t Let Altitude Sickness Ruin Your Summit County Vacation

Planning a trip to the Rocky Mountains is exciting, but the thin air can quickly catch you off guard. If you're traveling from sea level, you might experience altitude sickness during your Summit County vacation.

At Peaks Medical and Urgent Care in Dillon, Colorado, we want to make sure you enjoy every moment of your mountain getaway. Our team provides specialized care to help you adjust to our beautiful, high-altitude environment. And when you struggle with the elevation, we offer dedicated urgent care and IV hydration to help you feel better.

What is altitude sickness, and why does it happen?

Altitude sickness is a physical reaction to the lower oxygen levels found at high elevations. When you travel to places like Summit County — Dillon sits at over 9,000 feet — the air pressure drops and your body gets less oxygen with each breath. 

At an elevation of 10,000 feet, the oxygen level is only about 69% of what it is at sea level. This sudden drop can cause headaches, nausea, and fatigue as your body struggles to adjust. It’s important that you do your best to prepare for this transition so you don't lose precious vacation days to illness.

How can you prevent altitude sickness?

You can prevent altitude sickness by ascending gradually and using proven medical treatments. Spending a night in Denver — about 5,280 feet above sea level — before heading up to Summit County gives your body a head start on adjusting to the elevation. 

For those who can’t slow down their travel plans, prescription medications like acetazolamide can help. According to a 2024 clinical review in JAMA, taking low-dose acetazolamide reduces the relative risk of developing altitude sickness by 50.6%. This medication helps your kidneys adjust your blood chemistry, which naturally stimulates you to breathe deeper and adapt faster.

Talk to your physician well before you travel to determine if this preventive treatment is right for you.

What should you do if you start feeling sick on your vacation?

If you’ve arrived in Summit County for your trip and you start experiencing symptoms like headache, dizziness, or nausea, you should rest, hydrate, and seek professional medical care if symptoms persist. Ignoring the signs can lead to more severe health issues, so it's important to listen to your body. 

At Peaks Medical and Urgent Care, we provide rapid relief through specialized treatments. Our IV hydration therapy delivers essential fluids and electrolytes directly into your bloodstream, helping you recover quickly from dehydration and altitude-related fatigue. We also offer comprehensive primary care and urgent care services to keep your health on track.

Don't let altitude sickness ruin your Summit County vacation. Our team is here to support you seven days a week. Please contact our team today to schedule an appointment — to save time, click the “Get in line” button on this website.