Why is the issue of altitude sickness so important?
We’re going to take a serious tone today, as this is a serious and very important topic. We’ll be writing a bit about AMS, or acute mountain sickness, commonly known as altitude sickness or, less commonly, d’Acosta’s disease. This is a condition that most of you have probably heard of, and one about which anyone planning to head into the high mountains should have at least a basic understanding. It is also a condition that we would all like to avoid, yet which some of us will experience in the mountains all the same.
Myths about trekking in the Himalayas and safety
We were also prompted to write this article by the comments on the internet – which, in our view, are doing a great deal of harm – claiming that trekking in the Himalayas It’s so easy that you don’t need to prepare for most of them, and many of the trails are of a similar difficulty to those in the Bieszczady Mountains, so a similar level of preparation (or lack thereof…) is required. What’s more, we know that there are people who decide to travel to the higher reaches of the Himalayas (above 4,000 m) without any prior mountaineering experience (not even a visit to the Karkonosze, let alone the Tatras). It is not uncommon for them to plan ambitious treks beyond their capabilities, covering successive sections of the route with significant elevation gains very quickly, whilst disregarding safety rules. Convinced that, after all, they exercise regularly, they trust that this is sufficient to guarantee the success of their expedition. A lack of humility towards the mountains, and sometimes even recklessness, will never be a good guide on Himalayan trails. Of course, the situations described are not common, but they do occur. We also agree, of course, that the difficulty levels of treks vary, and there are indeed easy routes in the Himalayas which, in terms of difficulty, can be compared to the trails in the Bieszczady Mountains; they are neither very high in altitude nor technically or physically demanding; however, do not be misled. The Himalayas are high mountains and they can be dangerous, often when we least expect it.
What is acute mountain sickness (AMS)?
Professional studies on how the process works altitude sickness, there’s a great deal to be found. We’ll just give a brief overview of the process, throwing in a few practical tips so that you can learn the most important things.
Altitude sickness This is a condition in which the body’s functioning is disrupted as a result of a reduction in the partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere, leading to a decrease in oxygen tension in the alveoli. Such conditions lead to circulatory and respiratory disturbances in the body. Put simply, the higher we are, the thinner the air becomes, and consequently, oxygen uptake and normal breathing require greater effort from the body.
Symptoms of altitude sickness – what should you look out for?
Usually, the first ones symptoms of altitude sickness These include: mild weakness, a headache, and a slight feeling of pressure. This situation should already be a cause for concern; it may be necessary to take steps to prevent the symptoms from worsening. At a later stage of development AMS There are increasing numbers of nervous system disorders, loss of concentration, loss of balance, dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. This condition is already quite serious and absolutely requires our attention; it must not be ignored, let alone concealed from fellow travellers. Fear or shame is certainly not a good guide in this situation. Failure to take appropriate measures at this stage may lead to serious and dangerous consequences.
If we fail to respond and do not take measures to minimise the symptoms of the illness, the condition will worsen. As a result of hyperventilation – that is, an increasingly rapid breathing rate – carbon dioxide will be flushed out of the body even more quickly, leading to severe respiratory alkalosis and an increasingly poor supply of oxygen to the brain. The longer this situation persists and the more severe it becomes, the greater the risk of developing pulmonary oedema and cerebral oedema. Such a degree of altitude sickness It is already a very serious condition and, unless swift life-saving action is taken, it could even lead to death. There is no room for complacency here; the rescue operation must be swift and decisive.
Who is at risk of AMS? How does the body react?
It is worth noting that our body’s reaction to the thinner mountain air can vary greatly and is not necessarily linked to our previous experience. We cannot predict in advance how our bodies will react to high altitudes, but we can, with a high degree of probability, reduce the risk of AMS. Some people (according to statistics, approx. 9–12%) may experience the first symptoms altitude sickness As early as 2,500 m, most of us will start to feel the effects at around 3,000–3,500 m. Even if we don’t suffer from a headache or dizziness, a short period of exertion, such as climbing a flight of stairs at an altitude of 3,000–3,500 metres, will most likely cause mild shortness of breath and a noticeable difference in our physical performance; we may well be surprised by the change ourselves.
How can you prevent altitude sickness? Practical tips
There are a few rules to follow when travelling at high altitudes; these will help to reduce the risk of symptoms occurring altitude sickness.
1. Get ready for your trip
The more difficult the route you plan to tackle, and the greater the challenge you face, the better prepared you should be physically. When planning a trek of several days in the Himalayas, you must be confident about your physical fitness and health. Do not underestimate this rule and make sure you exercise regularly for several months before your trip.
2. Make sure you drink plenty whilst hiking
Even if you don’t feel like it, you must drink at least 2–3 litres, and ideally 3–4 litres, of fluids a day. Unsweetened drinks are best – water, isotonic drinks – and you should drink small amounts gradually and regularly. When choosing your meals, it’s a good idea to include soup; the Nepalese particularly recommend garlic soup, which is said to aid acclimatisation, and they also recommend ginger tea.
3. Adjust the height carefully
You shouldn’t tackle a large elevation gain every day for several days running. Your body needs time to acclimatise. Have you climbed 600–700 metres in a single day and are feeling fine? OK, take it easy for a bit – don’t do the same thing the next day. A very popular rule for acclimatisation is to sleep at a lower altitude than the highest point you’ve reached that day. If, for example, you’ve reached a village at an altitude of 3,800 m where you plan to spend the night and you’re not feeling particularly tired, it’s worth taking a short walk, after a rest and a meal, a little higher up – about 100–200 m – and then heading back down to the village where you’re staying. This method allows for faster acclimatisation. Remember – but only ever do this if you feel that your body is ready for it.
4. Consult your doctor
Do you have, or have you had, any cardiovascular problems? Be sure to discuss your trip with your doctor. They may have reservations about travelling to high altitudes, or they may simply give you appropriate advice on how to travel safely in your situation. This rule also applies to other health issues; in such cases, you should always check with your doctor to ensure that the trip is safe for you.
5. Take your time
There’s really no point in rushing uphill – it’s not going anywhere 😉 A leisurely walk, especially at high altitude, allows your body to adapt better to the changing conditions. The harder it gets and the higher you go, the more leisurely you should take your steps.
6. Medicines
In fact, there is only one popular medicine that helps the body acclimatise more quickly – Diamox. However, this medicine should not be taken as a preventative measure; it is not a mild drug and has quite a few side effects. It is definitely better to follow the guidelines in points 1–5 and only take the medication in exceptional circumstances. As for the medication itself, for it to be effective, you should start taking it before setting off on your trek, or at the very latest once you have started. Taking the medication once severe symptoms have set in altitude sickness will no longer bring about any improvement.
What should you do if you experience symptoms of altitude sickness?
What if you’re already experiencing symptoms? altitude sickness? It depends.
- If it is a mild headache (which may subside on its own or be relieved by an over-the-counter painkiller) and fatigue, you may continue your hike, provided you follow the guidelines set out above and remain very attentive to any signals from your body suggesting a possible deterioration in your condition. Most travellers experience headaches and fatigue at a certain altitude, and this is not a reason to stop the hike, but rather a reason to exercise greater caution.
- If the headache is severe, does not go away despite taking over-the-counter medication, and/or is accompanied by further symptoms i.e. dizziness, loss of concentration, nausea – you should stop gaining further altitude and stay at the altitude where you last felt reasonably well. Usually, one day’s rest is enough for your body to acclimatise; you can set off again the following morning.
- If the symptoms mentioned in the previous point do not subside or if they worsen – It is essential to get down to lower ground as quickly as possible – if at all possible. Every metre counts. If a person exhibiting the above symptoms is unable to descend unaided, or if doing so could be dangerous for them, it is essential to provide support and transport that person to a lower altitude. In Nepal, in the Everest region, transport is usually carried out on the back, on a stretcher or on horseback; from higher altitudes in the Annapurna region, it is carried out on a yak.
- In serious situations, when the symptoms described in the previous point do not subside – and in particular when they worsen – the patient begins to lose consciousness and it becomes difficult to communicate with them; and the illness itself progresses to further stages, a rescue operation is organised using a helicopter, which transports the patient to a hospital in Kathmandu, where the necessary treatment is provided.
A real-life example – a cautionary tale
As a warning, here is a video showing an example of someone who experienced altitude sickness at an altitude of just over 5,000 m. In this case, severe pulmonary oedema (advanced stage) had already set in, and the patient survived thanks to an efficient rescue operation. First, they were carried on a stretcher to the rescue centre in Machermo (4,410 m), where they received initial medical treatment, and were then airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Kathmandu.
Altitude sickness – don’t be shy about asking for help!
Altitude sickness There’s no shame in it; it doesn’t mean you’re weak or that you’ve done something wrong. Follow the above guidelines on minimising the risk of it happening, and you’ll most likely stay healthy. However, if you do fall ill, be sure to seek help and do – or allow others to do – everything necessary to ensure you can continue your journey or return home safely and in good health. The mountains will wait.
Are you planning a trek in the Himalayas? Check out our range of safe expeditions on our website:
👉 https://merowayadventure.com/wyprawy/
and get ready for your adventure the smart way!
We wish you a safe journey!
