What is High Altitude Sickness? – By Explore Tibet

Almost everyone who travels to central or western Tibet will suffer from the effects of altitude sickness. Although Lhasa is one of the lowest places in central Tibet, It is still 3,600 M( 13,000 ft) above sea level. How greatly one is affected by altitude varies from person to person and depends in part on how gradually one had made the ascent into Tibet. Obviously, acclimatization is much more difficult if you fly in than if you drive in. It also tends to strike people who overexert themselves in the first few days above 3,000 m( 9,800 ft).The so-called” early mountain sickness” usually develops during the first two or three days at high altitude. Its symptoms include;headache,nausea, loss of appetite,sleeplessness and difficult breathing. People will be affected in different way and not all the symptoms are needed to be present. If you experience some or all of the symptoms,you definitely should not go any higher until you are normal again. Then how to prevent the altitude sickness? its best to plan for three days of relatively reduced activity upon first arriving in Central Tibet. Headache medication,avoidance of alcohol,cigarettes and heavy food and direct intake of oxygen can help alleviate these symptoms. The drug Acetacolamide ( also known as Diamox) is often used nowadays both preventative and as a treatment for mild symptoms of altitude sickness. Most people experience no side effects with this drug, and it had the added advantage that it does not mask more serious development of illness. Before your trip to Tibet, You should consider obtaining a course of Acetazolamide from your doctor. Even without any drugs, most people get over the initial symptoms quite soon but it usually takes six weeks for a complete adaptation to occur. The so-called early mountain sickness can sometimes develop into acute mountain sickness, which may involve the life-threatening conditions of pulmonary or cerebral edema-waterlogged lungs or brain. These are serious occurrence that can result death if not treated immediately. They are liable to occur only if the symptoms of early mountain sickness are ignored and you continue to ascend. The symptoms of pulmonary edema are as follows; weakness,tiredness,shortness of breath, increased respiratory and heart rates,dry cough at first follow by cough with watery or bloody sputum later,noisy and bubbly breathing,congested chest, and dark blue fingernails and lips. If pulmonary edema is diagnosed, you must descend to a lower altitude immediately. If the symptoms develop while you are in Lhasa,go straight to the hospital. from there its probable that you will be flown out of the country.

The symptoms of cerebral edema are extreme tiredness,vomiting,severe headache,difficulty in walking,abnormal speech and behavior,drowsiness and unconsciousness. If cerebral edema is diagnosed, you must descend immediately and stay down. Descend should never be delayed for any reason and someone should accompany the patient. No medication is a substitute for descend. If in Lhasa, go straight to a hospital, from where descend by air will be arrange. Although early mountain sickness is common,pulmonary and cerebral edema are not! the greatest risk is for those with heart or lung diseases. It is advisable that before your start your Tibet tour, it is important to consult your doctor for his advises.