Altitude Sickness

When you trek in the high Himalayas “Altitude sickness” is the important handling it because you are in a big problem in the wilderness and far away from Drs and pharmacy. It happens when trekkers ascend above 3000m.

Acute Mountain sickness (AMS) it affects people who rapid their walks above 3000m. The altitude victims must know to walk slowly and drink more water. When trekkers cannot adopt acclimatization then use to get (AMS). Be careful and take care of your health during the trek in the high Himalayas.

We advise our clients to remember the following suggestion when you are on trekking in the high altitude areas above 3000 meters. The following are the basic symptoms of the altitude sickness and to avoid such sickness we recommend a few important points.

Basic Symptoms:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Difficult to pass urine
  • Medium Symptoms:
  • Headache which is bad
  • Irregular breathing
  • Nausea
  • Mild weakness

Serious Symptoms:

  • Slight swelling of hands and face
  • Cannot stand upright without swaying while eyes are closed.
  • Can hear a gurgling sound in the chest.
  • Zero energy.

What to do about Altitude Sickness?

Altitude sickness can be prevented by acclimatization; that is ascending 400 – 500 meters and take sufficient rest. The dry air of the mountains tends to dehydrate people so increased fluid intake is necessary.

Better drink more water every day as much as you can at least four liters. As you reach a camp or lodges where you do hiking up and low down at night. If you are taking Diamox 250mg tablets then drink a lot of water. As you are fit for trekking again continues your trek but still, altitude illness descends to lower and lower.

If you feel obviously suffering from the serious symptoms of AMS then descent should not be delayed even if it means going down in dark. In such a case, should an emergency situation arise, horse or porter will be arranged, or we carry you and run to lower (descend) altitudes? There is a communication facility at Namche Bazaar; Doctors at Khunde hospital in the Everest Area and HRA Clinics and in some trekking areas also have the Gamow Bag. The hospital or the clinic will take fees or charges for such services. We can arrange for immediate evacuation, by horse or helicopter, depending on the severity of the case.