dealing with hills and altitude changes

Like riding a roller coaster out that way.

 

I believe it's just you.

 

The total change in altitude isn't that big in the east. Also the relatively quick up and down of it is good too. You are more likely to get altitude sickness if say you start the day at somewhere that is 1,000 feet above sea level then sleep that night at 6,000 ft or higher above sea level. That's how it used to work for me, anyway. Just something you get used to. The windows down to get that cold air flow might help you.

 

If you're explaining it without exaggeration, I'd see a doctor, that's not normal.

 

Sounds more like sinus or ear canal problems. The elevation change in the east is not near enough to cause blood pressure problems.
Now if you start your day in western Kansas and stop for the night in Aspen, CO, then your light headedness could be altitude related.

 

Try eating more protein, eggs, fish, peanut butter. Lay off the sugar, salt and caffeine unless you're really tired and never eat Turkey before driving. And I just heard a study that said people over 55 can cut their chances of getting a stroke by 40% by eating more fruits and vegetables. Hope that helps.

 

Is this something you have always experienced or just recently? Do you have a head cold or stuffed up from allergies? Like others said, if your healthy you shouldnt be experiencing this from any hills in PA, at least not in a big truck.

 

Definitely sounds like issues with blood sugar rather than anything to do with altitude.

I have spent a fair amount of time years ago climbing and guiding on high mountains. As part of the training there were extensive courses in backcountry first aid. High altitude sickness usually manifests itself at around 10,000 feet, but there have been cases as low as 8,000 feet. You have to be AT the altitude for a period of time to experience it.

Symptoms of high altitude sickness are: nausea, headache, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Severe cases can include high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), both of which can be fatal. HAPE or HACE is basically your body fluids leaking into your lungs or into your cranium. The ONLY cure is to get to lower elevation quickly. HACE can result in sudden blindness.

High altitude issues for truckers is something to consider if you are running over some of the highest passes in the west or considering taking a 10 above 8000 feet. Be aware of the symptoms and GET DOWN if you feel anything coming on. HAPE starts with gurgling in the lungs and can debilitate you within hours. Even if I am feeling nausea or headache I will get down to a lower elevation, before it progresses into something more serious. I would declare a personal emergency to move if I'm out of hours.

High altitude can be lethal, but it is rare and requires staying at altitude for hours.