Altitude Sickness:


Many people are concerned about altitude sickness. Altitude sickness often known as acute mountain sickness (A.M.S.) in general may occur when people ascend too quickly normally in altitudes of over 3000 m. The symptoms of altitude sickness are due to lower air pressure at high altitudes, which results in lower oxygen levels as you breathe the air in. The air is under less pressure and this makes it harder for your body to get the oxygen out of the air and into the circulation. It's this extra strain on the body that causes altitude sickness

The major symptoms of altitude sickness

Initial symptoms

1. Periods of sleeplessness
2. Runny nose.
3. Extra tiredness
4. Occasional loss of appetite.
5. feeling laziness
6. Wish to vomiting
7. Periodic breathing.

Above are normal symptoms which may occur into your body that you should not be worried. Every trekker will experience some or all of these, no matter how slowly they ascend.

Advance symptoms
1. Headache and vomiting
2. Dizziness.
3. Racing heartbeat
4. Exhaustion
5. Nausea
6. Diarrhea
7. Loss of apatite
8. Weakness
9. Hard to breath
10. Tired
11. Dry Raspy cough
12. Sleeplessness

When above symptoms occur into your body, these symptoms usually resolve by spending one or two extra nights at the same altitude or using medicine. Even you are resting at the same altitude or using medicine, if symptoms are becoming worse, then it is necessary to descend.

Serious Symptoms
1. Worsening headache and vomiting
2. Swelling of hands and face
3. Reduced urine output
4. Walking with a staggering gait
5. Confusion
6. Increased tiredness
7. Breathing irregularity
8. Visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not real)
9. Changes in the ability to think
10. Changes in normal behavior

If above serious symptoms occur into your body, these extremely dangerous symptoms are called High Altitude Cerebral Edema (or HACE). They can lead to unconsciousness and death within 12 hours.

Increasing shortness of breath, cough and tiredness may also be signs of High Altitude Pulmonary Edema or HAPE. HAPE can also be rapidly fatal if ignored.
 

Some more method for Preventing of Altitude Illness:

1. Avoid Alcohol
2. Do not use Sleeping pills.
3. Drink plenty of liquids (at least three liters a day)
4. Avoid getting cold.
5. Bring adequate medicine
6. Not ignoring symptoms of altitude sickness if they occur.
7. Walk slowly
 

Note : We have guides trained at the High Altitude Medical Training Center. Our staff is very experienced in dealing with the effects of higher altitudes. As they are natives of Nepal, they easily acclimatize and therefore can care for their clients. They are equipped with necessary medical supplies and will assist you with basic first aid treatment. We design our tours to ensure clients are ready for high altitude, and arrange alternative itineraries for those at risk

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