How Altitude and Air Travel Disrupt the Gut—and What to Do About It

Studies show that the gut responds to high altitude like an inflammatory assault, yet is highly adaptable in healthy people.

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A headache after hiking in the mountains and a bit of digestive discomfort after a flight could be caused by the same mechanism—the microbes living in your gut.

The change in oxygen level as you move to higher altitudes can cause shifts in gastrointestinal (GI) microbial communities, including which bacteria are dominant and their overall diversity. This shift can impact the health and function of cells in your intestinal lining—leading to symptoms such as fatigue, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea.