Safely Trekking in Nepal
Altitude Sickness
Often starting at 10,000 feet, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), or altitude sickness, may begin with headache and nausea. These symptoms generally occur when people ascend too quickly. It is common to suffer from AMS. At 14,000 feet, 30% of people are stricken by these symptoms. For most people, these symptoms will spontaneously go away after a day or two of rest at the same altitude or, if the symptoms get worse, by descending to a lower altitude.
Climbing too high, too fast can have life-threatening repercussions. Climbers afflicted with water in the head (high altitude cerebral edema, or HACE) may not be able to walk straight. Those with water in their lungs (high altitude pulmonary edema, or HAPE) may be short of breath, even with minimal exertion. Symptoms may progress from nausea, headache and fatigue to vomiting, lethargy, and finally, to coma or death, usually after a few days if the person does not descend when the symptoms worsen. Dehydration and hypothermia also exacerbate AMS symptoms.
How can I prevent Mountain Sickness?
The complications of Mountain Sickness are preventable if people listen to their bodies and follow simple guidelines:
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Pay attention to your body and be aware of the initial AMS symptoms of AMS. Do not ascend with these symptoms.
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Ascend slowly. Increase your sleeping altitude by only 1000-1500 feet per day. Try climbing higher during the day and coming down to sleep. (Climb high, sleep low)
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Descend if the symptoms become severe or if you begin to experience HACE and/or HAPE.
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Drink 2 liters (2 regular size Nalgene bottles) of water per day, in addition to the usual tea and other beverages.
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Dress properly for high altitude treks, with synthetic under shirts for removing sweat, a warm fleece jacket, and a down jacket to prevent hypothermia, which can predispose you to AMS and its complications.
The US Embassy-Kathmandu encourages all trekkers to procure emergency evacuation insurance prior to their trip to Nepal.
For further information on AMS prevention and treatment please go to: www.himalayanrescue.org or visit the offices of the Himalayan Rescue Association in Kathmandu (Lazimpat or Thamel), Pheriche in the Everest region, and Manang in the Annapurna region.
Have a safe and enjoyable trek in the Himalayas!
