When you travel to high Himalayan altitudes, the low oxygen pressure can cause altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness. I want you to know that this condition can turn fatal if you do not take it seriously. It primarily comes in two dangerous forms.
The first form affects your brain and is called cerebral edema. When you experience this, you might notice symptoms like a headache, nausea, dizziness, numbness, weakness, vomiting, double vision, and a loss of imagination.
The second form affects your lungs and is called pulmonary edema. Watch out for symptoms such as shortness of breath even while resting, frequent coughing, difficulty walking uphill or on flat ground, fever, rapid and irregular heartbeat, chest discomfort, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and an initial headache that can progress to a bloody cough if it becomes serious.
To stay safe, I advise you to prepare mentally and physically before your trip. Strengthen your mindset and try not to dwell on the fear of sickness. When you walk, go slowly at a comfortable pace, drink plenty of clean and purified water, and keep yourself warm. You must avoid alcohol and smoking because they harm your brain and lungs, and you should never ascend directly to very high altitudes too quickly.
If you develop symptoms, remember that descending is your primary medicine. While Diamox is a common altitude pill, you should never rely on it to keep climbing higher; if your problems persist after taking it, go down immediately. Keep in mind that Diamox causes dehydration, so you need to drink extra water, and drinking garlic soup can also help a little bit.
Above all, never use sleeping pills if you cannot sleep at high altitudes, never stay or sleep alone if you feel unwell, and always inform your guide immediately. If you face serious difficulty, do not linger on the mountain; contact your insurance and return to a hospital as soon as possible.
What is altitude sickness?
Altitude Sickness is an acute mountain sickness (AMS) and high-altitude sickness. It is an effect of high Altitude for humans caused by the low oxygen pressure at high Himalayan altitudes. There are two types of Altitude Sickness: High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Altitude Sickness can kill if you don't take it seriously.
Related:
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Everest High Passes Trek
- Chola Pass Trek
- Renjo La Pass Trek
Cerebral Edema Altitude Symptoms
It is an effect of the brain at High Altitudes. The main symptoms of this effect are headache, nausea, dizziness, numbness, weakness, vomiting, and double vision, as well as loss of imagination.
Pulmonary Edema Altitude Symptoms
It is an effect of the lounge caused by Altitude. Shortness of breath even when resting, frequent coughing, difficulty walking uphill and even on flat ground, Fever, rapid and irregular heartbeat, chest discomfort, loss of appetite, can't sleep, and headache at the beginning, then start tinged with blood when you have the cough if it gets serious.
How to Stay Safe from Altitude Sickness?
Before going to a High Altitude, you must be mentally and physically prepared. Make a strong mind and stop thinking about Altitude Sickness. Walk slowly, at a pace you feel comfortable with. Drink plenty of clean and purified water. Keep yourself warm. Avoid alcohol and smoking; they may affect the brain and lungs. Don't go directly to a very High Altitude.
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- Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek
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Medications for Altitude Sickness
The primary medicine for Altitude Sickness is descending. Diamox is a pill for Altitude, but it isn't dependent on it. Having Diamox and continuing to go to higher places is not an intelligent idea. If you still have the problem after taking Diamox, descend as soon as possible. Don't forget to drink more water after Diamox; it can make you dehydrate. Have garlic soup; it helps a bit. If you have difficulty, don't stay on the mountain for long, inform your insurance, and return to the hospital as soon as possible.
Note: If you can't sleep at Altitude, never try to use sleeping pills. Don't stay or sleep alone if you feel like you are at Altitude. Always inform your guide about your problems.
