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What Causes Glaring Blindness After Hiking Up A Mountain?
Question: After a vigorous one hour mountain hike today I drank a 16 oz bottle of water at the top of the trail and experienced strong glare blindness (I could see but only in glare). My voice was also what I'd call "foggy" for ten minutes or so. I was tired but not exhausted. And within one minute of the glare symptom I was able to do 40 pushups on the trail without difficulty. I hike this way 3 days a week and I'm 70 years old and otherwise symptom free. I've been doing these hikes for 15 consecutive years.
Brief Answer:
Reduced blood /oxygen supply
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
Your symptoms indicate a reduced blood /oxygen supply to the brain.
Would you clarify a few things for me, please?
*have you had similar symptoms before?
*do you have any medical illness or take any medications?
*anything different about this hike? (longer or more strenuous or higher?)
*do you smoke?
*any recent illness?
*how long did these symptoms last?
*how are you now?
*howbis your urine (colour and quantity)?
Sometimes high altitude along with physical exertion can result in oxygen deprivation to the brain. This can also result when the body lags behind on meeting with the demand of the blood supply under these circumstances.
The fact that you could do push ups after this favors the indication of reduced oxygen supply. You stopped climbing and were OK.
If you still have the symptoms (even a reduced version), or any discomfort, I recommend :
-a physician consult right away to check for compromised heart function
-an electrocardiogram & echocardiogram
-blood tests (complete blood count) to check for anemia
-avoid further strain till a doctor clears you for the same.
If you do not have any lingering or new symptoms, I recommend :
-take breaks during your hike. Hike slower(as in reduce the rate of change of height, so as to allow your body to adjust to the
-monitor what was different about this hike. If no difference, then you need to monitor your exercise tolerance levels.
-visit a physician to make sure all is well, if symptoms recur. A treadmill stress test can show any heart disturbances during exercise. You will need to tell them that you are used to strenuous exercise so that they will adjust the exercise levels to suit your body.
You seem to be in good health. However, as our body is continually changing, it is better to error on the side of caution. Although you are used to hiking, the way your body responds to exercise will change with time.
Make sure you stay well hydrated (water and electrolyte) and that your urine is pale and in adequate quantity (about 1.2- 1.5 litres a day minimum).
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Reduced blood /oxygen supply
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
Your symptoms indicate a reduced blood /oxygen supply to the brain.
Would you clarify a few things for me, please?
*have you had similar symptoms before?
*do you have any medical illness or take any medications?
*anything different about this hike? (longer or more strenuous or higher?)
*do you smoke?
*any recent illness?
*how long did these symptoms last?
*how are you now?
*howbis your urine (colour and quantity)?
Sometimes high altitude along with physical exertion can result in oxygen deprivation to the brain. This can also result when the body lags behind on meeting with the demand of the blood supply under these circumstances.
The fact that you could do push ups after this favors the indication of reduced oxygen supply. You stopped climbing and were OK.
If you still have the symptoms (even a reduced version), or any discomfort, I recommend :
-a physician consult right away to check for compromised heart function
-an electrocardiogram & echocardiogram
-blood tests (complete blood count) to check for anemia
-avoid further strain till a doctor clears you for the same.
If you do not have any lingering or new symptoms, I recommend :
-take breaks during your hike. Hike slower(as in reduce the rate of change of height, so as to allow your body to adjust to the
-monitor what was different about this hike. If no difference, then you need to monitor your exercise tolerance levels.
-visit a physician to make sure all is well, if symptoms recur. A treadmill stress test can show any heart disturbances during exercise. You will need to tell them that you are used to strenuous exercise so that they will adjust the exercise levels to suit your body.
You seem to be in good health. However, as our body is continually changing, it is better to error on the side of caution. Although you are used to hiking, the way your body responds to exercise will change with time.
Make sure you stay well hydrated (water and electrolyte) and that your urine is pale and in adequate quantity (about 1.2- 1.5 litres a day minimum).
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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