Those people who have made a plan to
travel to the mountains for skiing, backpacking, trekking,
mountain climbing etc. must ascertain that they would reach a
height of less than 8000 feet i.e. 2400 meters. If they aim for
more than this height, they must garner information about
"Altitude Sickness". The other terms are "high-altitude illness"
or "mountain sickness".
A Prelude
As the height from sea level increases, the amount of oxygen in
the air decreases. At a height of about 8000 feet, the oxygen
level becomes very less. Normally, people live at less altitudes
and are not accustomed to the low level of oxygen. Therefore, the
body does not function normally. This is termed as "altitude
sickness".
The condition of those suffering from this illness may become very
grave.
Initial symptoms
weakness
headache
upset stomach
lightheadedness
absence of sound sleep
If these symptoms appear, one should descend to a lesser altitude,
till the symptoms vanish.
Severe symptoms
hindrance to breathe normally, although body is at rest
failure to walk along a straight path
coughing
confusion
In case such symptoms pester, the sufferer must move to a lower
altitude and get assistance from a physician.
Treatment
Medicines prescribed to treat high altitude illness are
acetazolamide
nifedipine
It is very necessary to take the symptoms seriously and stop
ascending. The affected persons should travel 1500 to 2000 feet
towards sea level and watch if the symptoms are disappearing. The
strategy is to continue the journey downwards till the symptoms
are eliminated completely. In addition, following points would
prove useful:
the body requires several days to adjust to the climate. The
higher the person lives from sea level, acclimatization requires
lesser time. Thus, plan the trip in such a way that there is
sufficient time for adjustment.
if during the day, a person moves in a certain height range, then
during the night he must sleep at a height that is lower than the
height during the day by atleast 1500 feet.
Children and altitude sickness
Children require more time to acclimate. Also, they are not able
to recognize the symptoms of altitude sickness. So, seniors must
pay attention to towards them.
Chronic illness and altitude sickness
Those who have lung or heart disease must consider the type and
severity of their illness. Coronary artery disease, high blood
pressure and mild emphysema patients have a similar risk as
compared to normal people. Being obese does not aggravate the risk
of altitude sickness. However, those people who have sickle cell
anemia, severe heart disease, severe lung disease like chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease or severe emphysema have a greater
risk at high altitudes.
High-altitude pulmonary edema
HAPE generally takes place during the second night after starting
ascending and increases with exertion. Young and fit trekkers or
climbers are generally prone to it. The various symptoms are:
fast and shallow breathing
severe fatigue
tightness in chest
breathlessness even during rest
cough along with frothy sputum
drowsiness
ingernails or lips become blue or gray
The only alternative is to descend immediately, as postponement
may prove fatal.
High-altitude cerebral edema
In this, the brain stops functioning properly due to swelling. The
symptoms are as follows:
* staggering while walking
* confusion and lethargy
* alteration in the capacity to think
* ataxia or loss of coordination
This condition can prove fatal within some hours or a couple of
days.
If persons recognize the symptoms of altitude sickness quickly and
take prompt treatment, they can avert any undesired incident.
Expert Advice on the Everest Base Camp
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