Altitude Sickness

When trekking in Nepal Himalayas “Altitude related Problems” are the important factors to be considered. There is always ramain a real danger of mild to serious problems related to altitude. It is important and trekkers should understand that they will be affected to a greater or lesser extent while gaining altitudes normally over 3000 meters. Altitude sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) may catch them who ascend too rapidly above 3000 meters. The various sever symptoms can develop in victim rapidly if the mild effects are ignored.

We advise our clients to remember the following points when you are trekking in the high altitude areas above 3000 meters. The following are the basic symptoms of the altitude sickness and to avoid such sickness we recommend few important points.


1. Basic Symptoms :
(I) Loss of appetite
(II) Sleep disturbance
(III) Difficult to pass urine

2. Medium Symptoms :
(I) Headache which is bad
(II) Irregular breathing
(III) Nausea
(IV) Mild weakness

3. Serious Symptoms :
(I) Slight swelling of hands and face
(II) Cannot stand upright without swaying while eyes are closed.
(III) Can hear gurgling sound in the chest.
(IV) Zero energy.

We request our clients feel free to discuss any kind of trouble with our staff whether it is simply gastro-intestinal or altitude related.


What to do about Altitude Sickness ?

Altitude illness can be prevented by acclimatization; that is, by a graduate rate of ascent (not more than 400 – 500 meters per day), allowing sufficient rest at various intermediate altitudes. The dry air of the mountains tends to dehydrate you so an increased fluid intake is necessary. Everyday, try to drink at least four liters of water. At night rest and luch camp, you can drink hot garlic soup which helps to avoid altitude sickness to some extent. When we reach to our destination it is better to make some hiking up to a bit higher point and come down to the camp or hotel. This is a really good way to get acclimatized. You may take Diamox 250mg tablets the night before flying / going to altitude. Sometimes the symptoms often disappear and the trek can be resumed.

If you feel severe suffering from the serious symptoms of AMS then descend in no time even if it is in the dark. This is an emergency case. In such case our staff arange horse, or porter to carry the victim to lower (descend) altitudes. There is communication facility at Namche Bazaar; Doctors at Khunde hospital in the Everest Area and HRA Clinics and in other trekking areas we can keep in the patient inside Gamow Bag. The hospital or the clinic will take fees or charges for such services. We can arrange for immediate evacuation, by horse or helicopter, depending on the severity of the case.