Altitude sickness

 

Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is caused by the too rapid exposure to the thin and oxygen deficient air that is found at high altitude. Many of our trekking routes climb up to altitudes of almost 6000 metres where the pressure of the air is half that of at sea level. Once we climb beyond 3000 metres we will only ascend at an average rate of 300 vertical metres a day to best manage any effects of the altitude. We will able schedule rest days to allow our bodies to get used to the higher altitude and which will also give us time to stop and take in the beautiful alpine landscape. 

While trekking up at high altitude you will likely experience the following symptoms of the altitude that are normal and not to be worried about:

  • Breathlessness 

  • Higher heart rate & breathing rate

  • Loss of appetite

  • Sleepnessness

  • Increased urination

The symptoms of mild Altitude Sickness are:

  • Headache 

  • Nausea

  • Dizziness

We are very experienced at guiding our foreign friends to the high altitudes what most of our trekking routes take through the Himalayas. If you were to start experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness we would immediately take you to a doctor were available and take you back down to a lower altitude as soon as possible where you would more easily recover. We do require our clients to have travel insurance and this would cover the unlikely event that you were to be evacuated by helicopter but it is nice to know that this service is available. The safety of our guests is our highest priority and we will not risk anyones health for the sake of completing our trek.

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Altitude Sickness Medication

Diamox (Acetazolamide) is a mild diuretic that acidifies the blood and stimulates breathing. This increased breathing reduces the effect of the thin air on your body and therefore reduces the change that you will suffer from Altitude Sickness. Diamox can be taken as a preventative or if you are already feeling the altitudes effects but please check with your doctor first as this drug is not for everyone. 

Ibuprofen is a useful anti-inflammatory/painkiller that is useful from alleviating both the headache and nausea associated with mild Altitude Sickness. 

 
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