When you are trekking in the hills of Nepal, on the altitude above 3000 meters, one of the biggest concerns is not to be a victim of Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). This may be of mild to serious in intensity and the symptoms can go from mild to serious stage rapidly if the mild symptoms are ignored. Thus, it is essential that all the trekkers be aware of this health issue.
Altitude sickness is the inability of the body to adapt to higher altitudes. This occurs when a person ascends rapidly to a higher altitude. The body doesn’t have enough time to adapt to the changes caused by increasingly thinner air. With increasing altitude, the body makes certain changes due to the lack of oxygen. These changes include faster breathing, getting short of breath with increased activity, and passing urine more frequently.
The risk factors for altitude sickness include quick movement to higher altitude and unnecessary strenuous activity on ascent. Other factors are a past history of AMS suffering, a low count of RBC in the blood, and heart and lung disease. The symptoms of AMS include dizziness, headache, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting. Other symptoms are loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, swelling of limbs, and so on. Severe symptoms include chest congestion, lack of balance while walking and pale complexion. Treat the symptoms quickly for a better and faster recovery.
For preventing the altitude sickness acclimatization is the first and the most important measure. Always keep in mind that it is not the height that causes the problem, it is the speed with which you ascend to higher altitude. Be slow and steady on the trekking trail. Being hydrated is another vital tip for avoiding AMS and beside that avoiding unnecessary physical exertions and alcoholic beverages, taking medications are the other necessary preventive measures.
After you catch altitude sickness, the first thing you have to do for its treatment is to descend to a lower altitude. Do this regardless of the time and your temptation to go ahead. Arrange for horse, porter or helicopter for immediate rescue that carries you to lower altitude for treatment. Hydrate yourself with water, reduce your activity level, and rest for a couple of days before moving ahead on the trail. The medications for treatment include acetazolamide for correcting breathing problems and aspirin. Other medications are lung inhalers, medicine for decreasing brain swelling, and blood pressure medicines.
Thus, to avoid the severity of altitude sickness, follow the instructions of guides. Share any feelings of discomfort with them. Guides are aware of the possible problems related to the physical condition of trekkers. Well-trained guides deal with such problems. In addition to that, get insured for emergency evacuation. Make arrangements for such rescue besides the preventive measures mentioned above. Make altitude your aide and not enemy during trekking in Nepal!
