Altitude sickness is the sickness induced when one moves forward to higher altitudes or higher elevations. In Nepal, various locals and tourists get the symptoms of this sickness while trekking to mountains.

1. How To Treat Altitude Sickness
While Trekking In Nepal?

2. Altitude Sickness
• Altitude sickness is the sickness induced when
one moves forward to higher altitudes or higher
elevations.
• In Nepal, various locals and tourists get the
symptoms of this sickness while trekking to
mountains. Generally, the probability of getting
altitude sickness starts from 3500 meters.

3. Altitude Sickness - Reasons & Risks
• The reason behind altitude sickness is due to the
less oxygen exposure in high altitudes.
• In some cases, the body will adjust with the
surrounding, decreasing the risk of altitude
sickness.
• Some dangerous forms of altitude sickness can
lead to life threatening issues.
• The risk of altitude sickness is seen in 20% of
people when they are at a height of 8,000 m and
40% people, at a height of 10,000 m.

4. Altitude Sickness- No Hard & Fast Rule
• There is no hard and fast rule as to why people
might suffer from altitude sickness. Anyone in
the high altitudes are prone to it.
• However, young people, people residing in lower
altitudes and those who are suffering from
respiratory diseases are more susceptible to
altitude sickness.

5. Types of Altitude Sickness
There are three categories of altitude sickness with
common and severe form. The types are as
follows:
• Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
• High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
• High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)

6. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
• Acute Mountain Sickness is the most common
form of altitude sickness. This type of sickness is
suffered by most people.
• The symptoms of AMS are headache, dizziness,
nausea and vomiting. If these symptoms are
ignored, they can lead to life-threatening
conditions which affect the brain or lungs.
• Furthermore, there is more chances of getting
complicated HAPE and HACE sicknesses.

7. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
• High Altitude Pulmonary Edema is a severe
form of altitude sickness causing breathlessness.
Excess fluid gets buildup in the lungs.
• The symptoms are loss of appetite, fatigue and
loss of energy, shortness of breath even while
resting, problem sleeping etc.
• It can also lead to high fever and frothy cough
with blood tints.

8. High Altitude Cerebral Edema
• High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) is
another dangerous form which causes fluid
buildup in the brain.
• The symptoms of HACE are headache,
confusions, hallucinations, weakness and loss of
co-ordination, lack of consciousness and
paradoxical undressing (removing of clothes).

9. Altitude Sickness – Prevention
• Acclimatization
• Ascending slowly to higher elevations
• Stop traveling and rest for at least 24-48 hours
• Take ibuprofen (pain killer) to reduce headaches
• Drink enough water
• Avoid alcohol and smoking
• Avoid exercise
• Moving to lower altitude to take sleep and start
ascending again.
• Taking oxygen or using Gamow bag in extreme
cases

10. Altitude Sickness – When It Occurs
• Altitude sickness occur anywhere when hiking
above 3500 meters. Several mountaineers and
trekkers must be careful while trekking.
• In Nepal, mountaineers and trekkers climbing
mountains or ascending towards higher
elevations are often victims of this disease.
• Additionally in Nepal, Himalayan Rescue Team
offers facility of Gamow bag especially in the
routes towards Lukla.