Altitude Sickness
Altitude Sickness or sometimes referred as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the illness due to decrease of the oxygen level as you move towards the high altitude above the sea level. It generally occurs usually from the 3000 meters and above the sea level.
As we move towards the High altitudes like mountains and Himalayas too fast our body cannot get the necessary oxygen it needed as a result we happen to breath faster this causes the headache, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping and other related symptoms of altitude sickness.
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness
Mild Symptoms
o Headache
o Loss of appetite
o Nausea and vomiting
o Dizziness
o Tiredness
o Feeling unsteady
o Trouble Sleeping (either deep sleep or no sleep at all)
Severe Symptoms
o Above mentioned symptoms gets worse hour by hour
o Persistent cough
o Drowsiness
o Confusion
o Clumsiness and difficulty in walking
o Loss of energy so much that you will not have energy to do anything at all
o Double vision
o Breathlessness
o Coughing of pink of white frothy liquid
Depending on the altitudes and complication from mild to sever the Altitude sickness can be divided into two major syndromes
Complication of Altitude Sickness
Although the case is rear altitude sickness if kept untreated sometimes can affect our brain and lungs and can be a life threatening condition.
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
High altitude cerebral edema is a condition in which fluid builds in the brain of individuals. High altitude cerebral edema occurs when lack of oxygen causes fluid to leak through capillary walls and into the brain and cause the swelling of brain tissues.
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
High altitude pulmonary edema is a condition in which fluid builds in the lungs of individual. The fluid blocks the oxygen being transferred from lungs to the bloodstream and ultimately causes respiratory collapse.
Prevention and Cure of Altitude Sickness
If you have mild altitude sickness symptoms you should not go high above the altitude for next 20-40 hours and try to rest at the altitude level and get acquainted with the environment or fall immediately back to some lower altitude. If the symptoms are severe in that case you should immediately seek medical attention.
o Drink lots of fluid (but not alcohol)
o Walk or hike at comfortable pace neither fast nor slow
o Take rest until you feel better
o Put warm clothes
o Don’t smoke
o Don’t exercise
o Descend to lower altitude
o If you feel the condition is getting severe immediately contact your guide
Our experience with the Altitude Sickness and Our Measures and actions
In the Himalayas there is saying “Altitude Never Says Experience” so it may happen to anybody at any time.
Our first and foremost priority is our client’s safety. Our staffs and Guide are always there at your service and hospitality, they are there any time to take care and look after you. Our guides have field experience with the altitude sickness and they know how to handle the situations best of their knowledge.
We strongly recommend you that if you feel some kind of above mention symptoms however minor it is you immediately contact and share it with your guide.
If we find cases like that we make quick and wise decisions regarding the case and work for its solution by best of our knowledge, experience and with expert communication.
