Does Hiking Make You Dizzy? Here's Why and How to Stop It

Does Hiking Make You Dizzy?

Here's Why and How to Stop It.

Hiking is an enjoyable activity that allows you to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the great outdoors. But if you're like many people, when you get a few feet above sea level, your equilibrium starts to go haywire. Before long, you're feeling dizzy, and it becomes difficult to keep yourself upright and moving forward.

Why does this happen? What can we do about it? We'll answer all these questions here!


What is Altitude Sickness?

Altitude sickness—also known as mountain sickness—refers to the symptoms that occur at higher elevations or altitudes. (Felson, 2021) It is most commonly experienced by mountain climbers and skiers but can also affect people who fly in planes or walk or drive up to high elevations.

Altitude sickness is often triggered when standing at least 8,000 feet above sea level. However, if you don’t gradually acclimate yourself as you travel, you may begin experiencing symptoms long before the 8,000-foot mark. (Chavoustie, 2021)


Why Hiking Makes You Dizzy

Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. However, it can make you feel dizzy. This is because hiking involves a lot of movement, which causes your blood pressure to rise and your heart rate to increase. This can lead to a feeling of instability and dizziness.

Your breathing rate also changes when you hike. As your breathing rate increases, so does the amount of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream—and carbon dioxide can make you feel lightheaded. 


How Hiking Makes You Dizzy

High-altitude sickness is strictly related to a lack of oxygen in the air when climbers or hikers reach certain altitudes. (Franzen, 2001) Constant exposure to high altitudes may lead to chronic symptoms. 

Altitude sickness symptoms resemble motion sickness, sea, or car sickness. The air pressure drops at high altitudes, which makes your body work harder to get oxygen into your lungs.

This can feel like a tight band gripping your chest. As the symptoms worsen, your breathing becomes more rapid and irregular, leading to even worse dizziness and nausea.


Preventing Altitude Sickness

At the onset of altitude sickness, you begin to feel lightheaded, dizzy, and weak. This is caused by changes in air pressure at high altitudes, which affect the amount of oxygen in your blood.

Fortunately, you can prevent altitude sickness even if you are exposed to the elements and factors that may cause it. If you regularly experience dizziness while on a hike, these simple tips will help you manage your symptoms or prevent them entirely:

Climb Slowly

Going from an average altitude to high altitudes too quickly can lead to severe symptoms of altitude sickness. It's best to take it slow, going up only 300 meters per day and stopping for rest at each stop.

The key to minimizing your risk of developing altitude sickness is to acclimate yourself before moving forward. For example, if you’re not used to hiking more than 1,000 feet above sea level, you’ll need to take it slowly.

Stretch out your hike and take plenty of rest while climbing. This will help your body adjust to the lower oxygen levels and keep you from getting tired too quickly.

Boost Your Carb Intake

The body needs carbohydrates to function well at high altitudes. At a lower altitude, it's best to eat lots of complex carbs like legumes and whole grains. But when you get higher up the mountain, switch to simple carbs like sugar and honey (more easily digestible) and dried fruits. 

Add more sodium to your diet, too; this helps retain fluid in your body so it doesn't get lost through sweat or urine so quickly.

Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol and altitude sickness don't mix well. The higher you go, the thinner the air, and the more your body has to work just to breathe. Alcohol makes it even harder for your body to adjust to changing altitudes, which is why it's important to avoid drinking while hiking at high elevations.

When you drink alcohol, your body increases its production of red blood cells to keep enough oxygen flowing through your bloodstream. But when you're hiking at high elevations, your heart rate is already higher than normal because it's working so hard to supply enough oxygen to your brain and other vital organs. 

This can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, and nausea—all symptoms of altitude sickness—and may even lead to unconsciousness or death if left untreated.

Stay Hydrated

It will help if you drink plenty of water at high altitudes. If you don't, your body will lose fluids through your lungs and skin. 

It is best to avoid caffeine while hiking because it causes dehydration. Water or power drinks with plenty of electrolytes are the best beverages to drink while hiking.

Eat Ginger

Eating ginger can help relieve some symptoms of altitude sickness. It also helps to prevent nausea, which is common among those who hike at high altitudes.

The best way to get the most out of ginger is by eating it raw. You can also use it in your cooking and baking or drink ginger tea.

Take Anti-Na

Take Anti-na supplements if you feel nauseous, uneasy, or dizzy. They have two flavors: lemon and ginger. They come wrapped in recyclable paper and packaged in tin boxes, so everything is environmentally friendly.

Anti-na also boosts energy and gets you going. The ingredients are all-natural, containing Vitamin B6 and ginger root powder. This means they have anti-inflammatory properties with antioxidants that ease stomach discomfort.

Purchase Anti-na here!


Take It Easy

One of the best things you should do while hiking is to take it easy. You may be excited about your trip and not want to slow down, but taking the time a bit of time will help your body adjust more quickly. 

Get enough sleep before the hike and avoid drinking alcohol or coffee. The higher altitude can cause fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea. If you feel uneasiness or stomach discomfort while traveling, stay hydrated and take Anti-Na chews for relief.


Ready to find relief based on your specific nausea triggers? Explore our complete collection of natural nausea solutions or dive deeper into our Natural Nausea Relief Guide for comprehensive strategies. 

Back to blog

FAQs About Natural Nausea Relief

Can I combine multiple natural remedies?

Many natural remedies work together like the Avengers of nausea relief.

For example, combining ginger supplements with acupressure bands creates a dynamic duo more powerful than either solo act.

However, always check with a healthcare provider before creating your own supplement cocktail, especially if you're pregnant or taking medications. Your body isn't a chemistry experiment

How quickly do natural remedies work?

The timeline varies.

Aromatherapy and acupressure can work
faster than you can say "I think I'm going to be sick," while supplements like ginger may take 30-60 minutes to kick in (perfect for planning ahead before that dreaded commute).

For preventive approaches, consistency is key—think of it as training your stomach for the Olympics of not getting
queasy.

When to seek professional help?

While natural remedies can be highly effective for managing
nausea, some situations call for bringing in the professionals. Here's when
it's time to stop Googling and start dialing:

  • When your nausea is more persistent than your ex—and equally unwelcome
  • If your nausea brings friends to the party (fever, severe headache, or abdominal pain)
  • When you and fluids have been in a 24-hour breakup (dehydration is no joke, folks)
  • If you're losing weight without trying (normally a pleasant surprise, but not like this)
  • When your nausea has become your personality trait ("Oh, there's Sam—you know, the nauseated one")

Remember: Healthcare providers went to school for approximately forever to help with exactly these situations. They've seen it all, they won't judge you, and they can help determine if your nausea is just an annoying visitor or a sign of something that needs more attention. Plus, they can develop a treatment plan that combines the best of conventional medicine and natural approaches—because sometimes you need both the wisdom of ancient remedies AND the magic of modern pharmaceuticals.


NOTE: This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have existing health conditions.

We're nausea and energy experts, not doctors—though we definitely share their commitment to helping you feel better. We've spent years researching natural solutions because we believe nobody should have to choose between feeling nauseated or dealing with medication side effects.

Our mission is simple: create effective, natural products that help you get back to living your life. While we're confident in our formulations featuring Bioenergy Ribose® and other research-backed ingredients, everyone's body is unique.

We promise honesty about what our products can do, backed by our satisfaction guarantee.