Altitude vinyl sickness is a familiar term to anyone enthusiastic about reaching high elevations like an Everest Trek. Also known as Acute Mountain Sickness, it is the discomfort in the body due to breathing low oxygen at a high altitude. Everest Trek is one of the highest trekking routes in the world, and it is a common fact that trekkers are prone to the infamous illness upon speed ascension to greater heights.
The Everest Base Camp Trek is one that takes you to beautiful high elevations, beginning at 2600m from Lukla and reaching the highest point at Kala Patthar at 5555m. The increase in elevation decreases oxygen density in the atmosphere, causing risk to your health, especially your breathing system. Before you trek the divinely beautiful Everest region, you must know the causes, precautions, and symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS. Otherwise, you may face undesirable hazards or risky health condition at higher elevations. Consequently, you may not fully appreciate the beauty of the panoramic mountain range, diverse flora and fauna, valleys, and waterfalls. Severe altitude sickness can even cause death in the absence of a proper health guide or in emergency cases.
Causes of Altitude Sickness
Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS) usually occurs at around an elevation range of 3000m for most people. Your altitude threshold for altitude sickness occurrence depends on age, fitness, and genetic makeup. The main reason behind altitude sickness is fast climbing in high altitudes because, at high altitudes, the atmosphere density is low, and you end up facing oxygen deficiency while breathing. The more you ascend, the lesser the air pressure, and the lower the availability of oxygen required for optimal health.
Some Most Common Causes:
- Rapid ascent: Quickly going to a high altitude without giving your body enough time to adjust can cause altitude sickness.
- High altitude: The higher the altitude, the lower the air pressure, and the less oxygen your body gets.
- Physical exertion: Strenuous activities at high altitudes can increase the risk of altitude sickness.
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can worsen altitude sickness symptoms.
- Alcohol and drug use: Alcohol and certain drugs can decrease your breathing rate, making it harder for your body to get the oxygen it needs at high altitudes.
- Age: Older people may be more susceptible to altitude sickness.
- Pre-existing medical conditions: Certain health issues, such as heart or lung disease, can increase the risk of altitude sickness.
- Genetics: Some people may have a mass genetics predisposition to altitude sickness.
- Obesity: Being overweight can make it harder for your body to get the oxygen it needs at high altitudes.
- Previous history of altitude sickness: If you’ve had altitude sickness before, you’re more likely to get it again.
Beginners or people with no-so-great health condition are more vulnerable to AMS. In the awe of accomplishing the outstanding Everest trek, you may overwhelm the trekking experience with faster speed and greater physical company without drinking enough water. Unfortunately, this may soon cause high altitude sickness to strike unless you understand your bodily needs and climb at a much more gradual pace, with proper rest for acclimatization.
How to Prevent Altitude Sickness During Everest Trek
The Everest trek is a unique opportunity to relish for an entire lifetime. The more you can delight in the mysterious beauty of the Everest trek, the more you’ll cherish the beautiful moments even in your memories. So, avoid hardships and risks as much as possible for more convenient trekking without experiencing altitude sickness. Following are the preventive measures that will help you prevent altitude sickness while you’re on the Everest trek:
- Gradual Ascend: This is the general rule of thumb. On a gradual ascend, your body gets the required time to adjust to the less oxygen. A gradual ascend doesn’t only mean a slower pace, but also stopping at intervals for rest and acclimatization. For a novice, it is better to begin with 300m per day and plot your resting spots before reaching those destinations. After your body adjusts to the high elevation of the mountains, you’re ready to proceed to the higher trails.
- Quit smoking and drinking alcohol: Smoking cigarettes is harmful as it decreases your lungs’ capacity to breathe. Similarly, drinking alcohol will quickly leave you dehydrated, making you tired sooner. Therefore, you must quit smoking and drinking alcohol to prevent altitude sickness from becoming severe.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water for energy and natural vitality throughout the trek. Your body needs water to function, and walking for a long time makes it lose water by sweating. During heavy breathing, your body consumes plenty of water, and it may leave you dehydrated and lethargic.
- Take enough carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy. Without them, you have no source of energy for trekking. The lack of strength ultimately impacts one’s immunity and ability to cope with potential illnesses. Some good sources of carbohydrates are whole grains like corn, millet, buckwheat, barley, etc., and you may opt for healthy cookies.
- Sleep at lower altitude: Climb higher during the day and return to a lower elevation for sleeping. With this rule, you can avoid acute mountain sickness, and other unpleasant health conditions to a significant degree.
- Medical Treatment: Medicines help cure altitude sickness in the mountains. Medical treatment is crucial for those suffering from health problems associated with the heart and lungs.
Generally, people take Ibuprofen or paracetamol during the occurrence of headache and nausea. Upon the doctor’s recommendation, some people take Diamox a few days before starting the trip to avoid acute mountain vinyl-sickness. Make sure that you consult a good doctor before you plan the challenging Everest trek.
Symptoms of high altitude sickness
By any chance, if you climb more than 500m in a day on the Everest trek starting from 2600m at Lukla, you may suffer from general altitude sickness symptoms like dry cough, shortness of soma breath, fever, tight chest, nose bleeding, increased heartbeat, congestion, swelling, and fainting. Since everyone has different genetic backgrounds and immunity levels, the symptoms of altitude sickness are of three types: mild, moderate, and severe.
- Mild Symptoms
High altitude sickness starts with mild symptoms at first. Therefore, it is common for most people. If you rest for 1-2 days and allow your body to acclimatize to the heights, you may easily be able to climb further upwards. Moreover, you get time to truly appreciate the splendor view and heavenly experience the Everest trails offer in good health
The common mild symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, shortness of breath, and no appetite.
- Moderate Symptoms
In case you continue to ascend higher with mild symptoms without care for acclimatization, you risk your health with more dangerous AMS symptoms. The only way to treat acute mountain sickness in the mountains is to treat it ASAP with acclimatization techniques. When you notice these symptoms, spend enough time resting and recharging yourself so that they don’t escalate into severe forms.
The common moderate symptoms of AMS are migraine, nausea/vomiting, muscle weakness causing fatigue, shortness of breath, and ataxia. After treating the symptoms, ensure that you resume the Everest trek at a slower speed.
- Severe Symptoms
If you leave the moderate level untreated, you invite the most severe form of altitude sickness cases known as High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE), and High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE). Upon onset of these conditions, instead of climbing higher, you must descend before it becomes fatal.
These are the severe symptoms to be aware of: Extreme shortness of breath, declined cognition, hallucination, inability to walk, and the lungs filled with fluid. All the physical efforts and finances spent can go to waste if you ignore the health aspect of Everest Base Camp or Everest Trek.
Conclusion
Everest Trek is a physically challenging trek, and many people (especially novices) are vulnerable to altitude sickness while reaching greater heights. Of course, there is more beauty to adore as you ascend further towards the marvelous snowy peaks, but you may suffer from a range of symptoms if you stay unaware of preventing altitude sickness in advance. However, if you treat them well at an initial or mild stage, you don’t risk facing severe problems and death. Consult with an expert trek company or guide, and share your incident with them. Treat AMS on time, and you’ll enjoy a more relaxed and fruitful adventure on the Everest trek.
