High Altitude
Sickness (Nepali – Lake lagne or damgiri) or AMS is an absolutely preventable
disease / situation if the traveler and the guide have good idea about it. So,
it’s wise to know about AMS and follow the rules to prevent it.
Travel with local / experienced guide
Walk up and climb high gradually / slowly
Know about the symptoms of AMS
Always share any difficulty or problem clearly with your
guide
Take frequent breaks, rest (acclimatization) day at least
every third day
Avoid alcohol (dehydrates and depresses breathing) and
sleeping pills
Recognize if there is any AMS symptom
If there is any symptom, never ascend as long as the
symptoms are over
If the symptoms are worse, descend promptly
Look after each other in group
Always care more about your body than your goal
Don’t let anyone walk or stay alone
Climb to a higher altitude on the day, sleep at lower
altitude at night
Plan your trek with enough days and time
Avoid excessive exertion (walking very long, running,
carrying heavy)
Drink adequate fluids and water (3 liters a day) but don’t
drink excessive
Main high carbohydrate diet (in Nepal – may be rice,
potatoes, etc)
Carry
and use life saving equipments and drugs (Diamox – Actazolamide, dexamethasone
for HACE, etc)
Treatment
Descend slowly without excessive
exertion to an altitude the body has adjusted.
If available, use supplemental
oxygen.
Use Drugs -
Acetazolamide (diamox), dexamethasone, etc.
Use hyperbaric bag.
If the situation is worse even
after all these, evacuate promptly.
AMS and After
AMS should be
carefully monitored and cured to avoid the other two life threatening
situations.
High altitude
cerebral edema (HACE) - Water accumulation in the brain
Hgh altitude
pulmonary edema (HAPE) - Water accumulation in the lungs
(Chronic mountain
sickness is the case of the maladaptation of the long-term residents at the
high altitude settlements.)
High Altitude Cerebral Edema
(HACE)
A trekker will most
probably be suffered by HACE if the initial symptoms are ignored and the trek
is continued to higher altitude. Simply, HACE is an extension of AMS out of
ignorance. It starts with fatigue and ultimately goes to unconsciousness. It is
best described as the shift of fluid into brain tissues, reduced oxygen level
in body and swelling in skull.
In case the trekker
is not able to walk on a straight line but walks as a drunk, then there is
nothing more to wait for immediate descend and emergency helicopter evacuation.
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
Sometimes occurred
after AMS and sometimes suddenly, the symptoms of this disease is that the trekker
has no headache or nausea but cannot walk uphill, have difficulty in breathing
and may be nagging cough. Please be aware that it may not only be cold. So,
wait for some time and if the situation is not better, there is no alternative
to descend and emergency evacuation.
Acclimatization
Acclimatization is a
situation during which the visitor’s body and the hostile less-oxygen
environment try to adjust each other for and within a short term. This is a
process which allows the trekkers to ascend higher gradually.
In
most cases of AMS during the initial days of trekking along the lower altitudes
of Himalaya, the symptoms are almost common. But it may get better or worse
later. If the traveler is getting better, wait for some time and can ascend slowly,
but if the situation is worse, he/she should descend to lower altitudes. It’s
not good idea to focus on your long awaited journey, time, effort, money and
your goal, don’t think that you will miss it forever. Just listen your body at
the moment; you will get this chance again if your health is excellent.
AMS
can strike anyone irrespective of age, fitness, health, training and
experience. So, know about it, stay safe and make your Himalaya journey
rewarding.
Our
guides are very well trained and experienced about High Altitude Sickness /
Acute Mountain Sickness, required first aid and rescue. They can help you
everything required. In case of emergency they will arrange for your emergency
evacuation to a hospital in Kathmandu. So, always share your situation
frequently with your guide.