What is High Altitude:
High altitude is an area which is higher than 1000 ft. sea level. There are no specific factors such as age, sex, or physical condition that correlate with susceptibility to altitude sickness. Some people get it and some people don't, and some people are more susceptible than others. Most people can go up to 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) with minimal effect. If you haven't been to high altitude before, it's important to be cautious.
Why High Altituide Sickness:
As you ascend to higher altitudes above 10000 feet, atmospheric pressure decreases, the air becomes thinner and less oxygen is available. It is also colder, drier and the ultraviolet rays from the sun are stronger. The concentration of oxygen at sea level is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, the concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) the barometric pressure is only 483 mmHg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order to properly oxygenate the body, your breathing rate (even while at rest) has to increase. This extra ventilation increases the oxygen content in the blood, but not to sea level concentrations. Since the amount of oxygen required for activity is the same, the body must adjust to having less oxygen
Above 8000 - 10000 feet, high altitude sickiness affects 20 to 30% of visitors coming from low altitude to some degree. The extent to which you are affected depends on how quickly you ascend, what elevation you attain, how hard you exercise, what you eat and drink and what health problems you may have (smoking, emphysema, asthma, anemia, diabetes and high blood pressure). When planning a trip to an area above 8000 ft. consult with your doctor if you have any questions
First Body reaction: After arriving at high altitude, you will probably notice that your breathing is faster and/or deeper, and you may feel short of breath especially when exercising/climbing steps in hotels, walking etc. In addition your heart is likely to beat faster as more oxygen is required by the body so the rate of oxygen intake has to increase. This shows that you are at a higher altitude and may develop altitude sickness which may occur within first 24-36 hrs period.
Symptoms: The common altitude scikness symptoms are lack of sleep, loss of appetite, dizziness, irregular breathing, headache, caugh or feeling of vomiting. Visitors with one or more of these symptoms may have acute mountain sickness (AMS).
How to Prevent: This form of altitude sickness usually gets cured in a day or two. Once you arrive you must take it easy for the first two days and take complete rest for first 36 hours. Complete natural rest has no substitute which means lie down on your bed, do not involve in any physical activity. Adequate hydration is important in the prevention of altitude illness. Drink two or three times more water or fluid than usual and keep yourself well hydrated. You must also not take any alcoholic beverages or smoking for first two days and minimize caffeine consumption. Limit salty foods and eat high carbohydrate diet while at altitude. Above all, listen to your body! Do not push the limits of your physical capabilities. If you feel worse, seek medical attention! Please do not hide your problems, many times it has been noticed that some group members do not disclose their altitude problem for fear of insult or embarrassment in front of their other group members. This must not be done at any cost. Minor altitude illness symptoms can occasionally become life threatening. If after two days you are moving out, say on a trek and gain higher altitudes and develop altitude sickness, then you must descent down immediately. An average gain of 300-500 meters is fine once you have acclimatized.
Chemical Medicines: Diamox (acetazolamide) is a universally known Altitude Sickness medicine, a drug which prevents unpleasant symptoms for many people who may be exceptionally prone to AMS. It allows you to breathe faster so that you metabolize more oxygen, thereby minimizing the symptoms caused by poor oxygenation. This is especially helpful at night when respiratory drive is decreased. Since it takes a while for Diamox to have an effect, it is advisable to start taking it 24 hours before you go to altitude and continue for at least three-five days at higher altitude. The recommendation of the Himalayan Rescue Association Medical Clinic is 125 mg. twice a day (morning and night).Diamox is a sulfonamide drug, people who are allergic to sulfa drugs should not take Diamox. Discuss use and possible minor side effects (tingling sensations, altered taste, increased urination) with your medical doctor.
Serious Altitude Sickness: After developing AMS, if you are not properly taken care of , then the sickness could develop into more serious forms of AMS, called HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) & HASO (High Altitude Cerebral Edema).
HAPE results due to building up of fluids in the lungs which prevents effective oxygen exchange to the brain. As such the amount of oxygen in our bloodstream goes down, and this could lead to impaired cerebral function, and even death in some cases. The main symptoms could be short breath even at rest, tight feeling of the chest, fatigue/ exhaustion, feeling of suffocation at night, weakness in the body, and there could be persistent cough also with white, watery, or frothy fluids. The persons could also react with lot of confusion and behave irrationally which shows that insufficient oxygen is reaching to his brain. One of the methods for testing yourself for HAPE is to check your recovery time after exertion. If your heart and breathing rate is slower than at altitude level, it is a sign that fluids are building up in your lungs. The best way to prevent is to descent down immediately at least 600 - 1200 meters down and the person must be taken to a the nearest medical facility as soon as possible.
HACE occurs due to swelling of brain tissue from fluid leakage. Symptoms can include headache, loss of coordination (ataxia), weakness, and decreasing levels of consciousness including, disorientation, loss of memory, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, and coma. It generally occurs after a week or more at high altitude. Immediate descent down is a a must and requires quick medical treatment.
SUN INJURY
At high altitude the ultraviolet rays from the sun are more intense and therefore more damaging. Even when it is cloudy the risk of sunburn is extreme. Before going out protect yourself and your family from the suns ultraviolet rays. Apply a sunscreen SPF 15-30 to your skin before beginning outdoor activities and every two hours while outside. To prevent sun injury to the eyes, wear sunglasses or goggles with (UV) protection.
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