High altitude sickness and high elevation trekking in Nepal

High altitude sickness also is known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is the body’s response to the concentrated air pressure and reduction of oxygen.

Every time when we talk about trekking in Nepal, the only question that pops up is, “How high did you go?’’. We all know Nepal is best known for its high elevation trekking around the world. The territory of Nepalese Himalayas bestows various radiant trekking courses. The best treks in Nepal for the one can be found by taking a gander at the one's inclinations over the highlights offered by the trekking. Trails in Nepal move higher than the summits of the tallest mountains in Europe, and vanquishing the high goes of the Himalaya is a symbol of respect for any climber worth their climbing boots.

In Nepal, a secure elevation to which you can climb quickly and straight away is 2,700 – 3000 m and the highest altitude of is 8,848 meters. The hike to these monstrous mountains will test your muscles breaking point. There is no accountability to climb the most noteworthy passes; probably the most compensating treks in Nepal take after the twisting valley of the middle hill, glancing through a mesmerizing drapery of the ancestral community. Nepal’s most dramatic passes includes The Cho La (5,420m), The Renjo La (5,345m), The Kongma La (5,535m), Makalu Base Camp and the Sherpani Col (6,145m), The Thorong La (5,416m), Dhaulagiri Circuit, Everest Base Camp Trek (5,364m max. elevation), Kala Patthar (5,555m max. elevation), Annapurna Base camp trek (4,130m max. elevation), Gokyo Ri trek (5,357m max. elevation) and so on. There are numerous trekking courses in Nepal which are astoundingly delightful, yet including every one of them is impractical for us.

High altitude sickness also is known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is the body’s response to the concentrated air pressure and reduction of oxygen when at the higher elevation. Acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema are the types of altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can arise from the elevation of 2500m above sea level but symptoms are likely to be evident after the hike above 3,600 m. A mild headache, lack of appetite, sick stomach, fatigue, difficulty in sleeping, feeling dizzy etc. are some of the health issues that may arise amid the trek to the Himalayas.

Why Altitude Sickness Happen at High Elevation and what are its Symptoms?

The major cause of elevation ailment is escalating to the higher altitude rapidly. Elevation ailment is caused due to the diminishing measure of oxygen accessible as height increments. Ascending too high and lingering there for a long time is likely to cause altitude sickness. The atmospheric consolidation of oxygen at sea level is around 21%. Higher elevation does not change the environmental oxygen concentration but it may result in the decrease of the number of oxygen molecules per breath. Every breath roughly contains for about only 50% of the oxygen at around the elevation of 5,550m as a result high altitude sickness is very likely to occur.

Syndromes of high altitude sickness often create in the vicinity of 6 to 24 hours in the wake of accomplishing height above 3,000m above sea level. Symptoms resemble those of the terrible cerebral pain which includes:

  • cerebral pain
  • nausea and vomiting
  • wooziness
  • tiredness
  • decreased appetite
  • shortness of breath
  • difficulty in sleeping and breathing

The symptoms generally get worsen around the evening.

What are the Key Precautions and Immediate Action to Avoid High Altitude Sickness?

The diagnosis of high elevation affliction depends upon the patient’s signs and symptoms. Subsequent to venturing out to a high elevation, side effects of loss of craving, unsteadiness, shortness of breath amid exertion, queasiness, or a cerebral pain related with a sleeping disorder may demonstrate high altitude ailment. The precautions for these symptoms are:

  • Descending

Moving to a lower height is presumably the best move to make if manifestations create. Individuals with direct manifestations more often than not react well on the off chance that they plummet only 1,000 ft (305 m) and remain there for 24 hours.

 

  • Deep breathing

When you first notice any shortness of breath, begin contemplating your relaxing. Make extending breaths and littler strides until the point that you have a manageable pace once more. On more extreme segments, purposely setting each foot and slowly inhaling might be the approach.

  • Slower Pace

On the off chance that you are not expecting the absence of oxygen, you will end up requiring regular rest stops to recuperate. Be that as it may, by abating your pace as you pick up height, you will keep your body working without overexerting.

  • Even rhythm

Keeping up a breathing/venturing rhythm is significantly more critical at higher altitude than drop down. It will help shield you from overexerting yourself.

  • Hydrate

Try to keep your body hydrated. Drinking more water helps to curtail the symptoms.

  • Reduce exertion

The harder you push your body, the more prominent your danger of getting manifestations. Thus, try to reduce exertion in order to curtail the symptoms.

The elevation is not something to take lightly in Himalaya. Altitude sickness causes due to the fact that your body fails to adjust the change in the altitude. For people, it just creates gentle manifestations that enhance with rest and time spent at elevation. Nevertheless, in a few people, it can prompt more genuine indications which can progress toward becoming life-threatening. This is especially a hazard if the signs are not perceived and the individual does not move down (slide) to a lower elevation.

Nepal Ascent Treks has been able to set remarkable footprints in operating high altitude treks to various destinations of Nepal. Nepal Ascent Treks has prior experiences in handling such situation when occurred during the trek. We request our customers to present a copy of their insurance preceding to the departure. Every agent of our company from the guide to other staff are aided with cell phones and satellite cell phones during the trip to remote areas in case of emergency. Thus, client’s safety and satisfaction are of utmost importance to us.