How to Avoid & Treat Altitude Sickness in Cuenca Ecuador (and other high altitude cities)

Amelia and JP VLOG 161: At 2,560 meters (8,400 feet), Cuenca Ecuador is a high altitude city. While most people adapt to the thinner air within a few days, some people continue to struggle with the effects of altitude sickness for weeks or months, and for some, it never gets better and may even worsen with age.

Symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, tingling sensations, flushing, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, tiredness and sleeplessness. You may also be very sensitive to alcohol and drugs, including medications. 

In this video, we share a few suggestions for prevention and treatment of altitude sickness when visiting high altitude cities like Cuenca Ecuador.

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#cuenca #ecuador #expats

[MB-jons]

Thank you for you videos. I am coming to Quito to volunteer at an orphanage. I have no idea what to expect. Your videos are very comforting 🙏

[kevindayton]

LOVED the "look" (2:21) when JP stated that he was "normal" ...

[anapatriciacoraizaca]

You are an awesome couple! I was raised in a small village near Azoguez . My parents moved us to queens over 3 decades ago and I haven’t returned back there. I am planning to go back there but I have no idea how my country looks now!!
I have RA and moving to Ecuador crosses my mind. Life over there seems less materialistic less stress and more natural beauty. Congratulations for loving my country. You inspire me to want to move over there for my retirement. Thank you guys!

[brantp]

I learned about altitude sickness on a camping trip to Great Basin Nat. Park. The campground was over 10, 000 ft. After setting up the tent I decided to hike the short trail to the top of the peak. I got so sick, I came back to camp, started reading the campground brochures and there it was. I immediately drove the 20 min. drive back down to 6000 and was fine. Thanks for all the info you provide. I've been looking at Cuenca for almost 2 years, but still haven't been able to go there. Hopefully in Jan or Feb. Look forward to meeting the two of you.

[chancerobinson]

Very helpful. Thanks! Yes being smaller does make a difference because there is simply less tissue mass that needs to be fed oxygen. Unfortunately, the heart doesn’t increase in size enough to compensate as a person gets bigger. Thus, altitude sickness will be much more common.

[julioalvear]

Great info, when I was in Cuenca I got altitude sickness and the coca tea worked well. It was recommended by the hotel waiter. Apparently the tea is readily available in many restaurants, cafes and can be purchased in stores.

[grafixnut]

I am so glad I watch your videos! I've lived under 1, 000 ft. elevation all my life, I'm 63. I just interviewed for a job in CO, and I don't think I had better try 6, 000 ft! I have asthma, and that sounds like too big of a risk to commit to. Its very scary when you can't get enough oxygen.

[stevefiorito]

I moved my family to Albuquerque, NM back in 2000 after living at sea level for most of our lives. We had no problem with altitude sickness and that I think had to do with my active lifestyle and exercise. Did hikes in the mountains around Santa Fe at over 11, 000 feet in elevation. The problem we did have with the thin dry air was frequent noise bleeds and dry, itchy skin. All of this we eventually acclimated to.

[Sherlonkah]

This Texas boy was affected by the altitude after driving up Pikes Peak. My heart was pounding and I felt as if I couldn't get enough air. I made it through by just moving very slow for the short amount of time we were at the top. But, I wish I had prepared myself prior to the trip up.

[ScottYun]

On my way to Cusco, Peru (3, 400 meters) and then Machu Picchu (2, 500 meters, which is similar to Quito, Cuenca and Bogotá). Started at sea level, and traveled to Medellin (1, 500 meters) for 5 weeks, before going to Bogotá, where I'm at now. Will be here for 8 weeks before flying to Cusco. No altitude sickness by starting slowly with 4-5, 000 steps/day before going to 10, 000+ steps/day and not trying to go higher miradores
(view points) too soon. I have not needed to go to coca tea yet.

So you might want to to take a month detour to Medellin before going to Quito/Cuenca to slowly acclimate to altitude. If you're going to do so, then I recommend the Laureles neighborhood, which is the second most popular area for foreigners, because it's flat. The Poblado neighborhood, which is the most popular area with foreigners is way too hilly and defeats the concept of not taxing your body too much, too soon.

[annman]

Did you guys try Organic Spirulina! It's considered very healthy green superfood!

[johnhard]

Congrats for 5k subs!!!! De seguro llegan a los 100k

[MARIPILIPM]

Thank you! Very helpful. I’m going to Ecuador end of November. I’m a bit concerned about the altitude.

[amseam]

Green veg are full of iron which helps in the RBC production . I donate blood every 58 days and need to watch my iron intake to help with red blood cell production.

[ndSprings]

Thank you for this info. Headed to Quito in June for a couple of days before heading south. I'm hoping those leafy greens really help. :-) Keep on keepin' on!

[sammiesmith]

I will be prepared for Cuenca & the rest of Ecuador in 2020.

[Dynamic_Daniel]

Amelia and JP, I love and enjoy to watch all your videos and you guys are great!!! Keep up to good work. I saw that you guys had a great time in Salinas, way to go, enjoy your lives and live to the fullest. Hope to meet you with my family one day soon, take care and all the best!

[SupeU]

We have given up on the idea of retiring Cuenca because of potential altitude sickness.

[amywalker]

I read elsewhere about Cordyceps Sinensis, a mushroom, you can take in pill form that helps your body utilize oxygen better. I don't know about high altitudes but I have been taking the stuff for years and when I go walking, I never seem to get out of breath, and when I do, I recover faster. So if I come to Cuenca, I will certainly bring some and hope it helps.

[sammiesmith]

Very insightful video on altitude. I spent a month in Bogotá(8600 feet) in April 2019 & I felt it the first week & adjusted gradually. I have been in Guadalajara (5100 feet) in June 2019 & Medellín (4900 feet) in December 2018. I am well aware of the altitude of Latin America & The USA.