Altitude sickness is an issue faced by many adventurous travellers and it’s not just those trekking to Everest base camp or climbing mountains like Island Peak (6,189m) or any other trekking peaks in Nepal, as you might expect. Altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), can be encountered by anyone reaching heights of 2,500m and above, so it’s even possible for skiers in the Alps to experience it, particularly in higher resorts such as Zermatt (Switzerland) and Val Thorens (France).
It is therefore important that all travellers are aware of altitude sickness and the potential consequences of not recognising and treating symptoms before they develop into anything more serious. While most cases are mild and perfectly manageable, some cases (especially those above 3,500m) can develop into potentially life-threatening conditions, so it is vital to recognise the symptoms and treat them promptly.
A Personalized and Safe Journey with Highland Expeditions: A Trek to Remember
A Personalized and Safe Journey with Highland Expeditions: A Trek to Remember
From the very start, Highland Expeditions set a high bar for excellence that they consistently lived up to throughout our entire journey. We started our communication with the company one year prior to embarking on our journey. Passang’s communication was nothing short of impeccable. Before we even began our trip, he provided timely and detailed responses to every inquiry I had—and there were many! Every question was met with clarity and enthusiasm, making the entire planning process a breeze. I had over 100 email exchanges with Passang and I could not thank him enough for his timely, detailed, and thoughtfulness responses. Passang was able efficiently handle changes to our original schedule prior to the start of our trip due to airline flight cancellations, timing changes, etc. We never felt stressed, nervous, or anxious throughout the entire planning process, and we cannot thank Passang enough for this.
Once the trip commenced, their exceptional service didn’t skip a beat. We felt immensely safe and cared for from the moment we were picked up from the airport. The level of professionalism and attention to detail ensured that we could relax and immerse ourselves in the adventure without a single worry. We had an orientation during the first day where we met our main trek guide Aakash. Aakash went over the details of the journey, what to expect, and answered all our questions.
Our trek was expertly guided by Aakash and Kumar (our second trek guide), who handled every aspect of our journey with exceptional care and professionalism. Trekking with my 60-year-old mother meant that we sometimes moved at a slower pace and took more breaks than usual. Both Aakash and Kumar were incredibly understanding and supportive throughout. They ensured that one of them was always by her side, guaranteeing her safety, maintaining a comfortable pace, and providing both laughter and excellent company along the way.
Their attention to detail was unparalleled. Aakash and Kumar made certain that we not only had fun but also took the time to appreciate the breathtaking mountain ranges around us. They answered all our questions and provided invaluable tips and recommendations on how to stay warm as we ascended to higher altitudes.
Over the nine days of our trek, Aakash and Kumar became like family. Aakash often joined us for card games after long days of hiking, ensuring we were well-fed at all our rest stops and consistently checking in on our well-being. On one occasion, when my mother experienced some difficulty breathing, Aakash’s response was immediate and comforting. He stayed closely by her side, helping her through the day with utmost care. Kumar was kind enough to carry my mom’s day pack throughout that day of the trek.
The experience provided by this tour company, especially through the incredible dedication of Aakash and Kumar, was truly beyond expectations. They made every step of our journey feel safe, enjoyable, and memorable. I cannot recommend them highly enough for anyone looking to undertake a trekking adventure with a team that goes above and beyond.
We would also like to thank our two porters during the trek that ensured our duffel bags reached our teahouse/lodges well before we arrived as well. The porters worked extremely hard and we would not have been able to properly enjoy the trip without their hard work of carrying our bags throughout the journey. It’s inspirational to see their hard work. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate our needs, ensuring that each day was smooth and enjoyable.
It’s not just a tour company; it’s a comprehensive service that caters to all your needs with a personal touch. I couldn’t recommend them more for anyone looking for a hassle-free, enriching travel experience. They truly understand the essence of great customer service. Kudos to the entire team for making our trip so memorable!
We hope to come back to Nepal and complete the Annapurna trek, and we can’t wait to be reunited with our friends, and now family, at Highland!! Thank you for being the absolute best and we cannot thank you enough!
A Trek of Challenges and Beauty with Unmatched Care and Support
A Trek of Challenges and Beauty with Unmatched Care and Support
Highland Expeditions were excellent from the first time we emailed enquiring to the end of our trip. We took the EBC via gokyo lakes and chola pass trip which I would recomend as it takes you through a diverse range of landscapes and is less busy. Our guides Horizon and Darpan were very knowledgeable and supportive, their positivity and humor really helped get me through some of the physical and mental challenges of the trek. Towards the end of the trip my wife suffered from a medical condition, I was very impressed at how quickly and professionally the staff were able to arrange medical treatment but also how genuinely empathetic and personally they dealt with the situation. Highland Expeditions is a great locally owned and run company 11/10
SYMPTOMS OF MILD ALTITUDE SICKNESS ARE:
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Decreased energy levels
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
SYMPTOMS OF SEVERE ALTITUDE SICKNESS ARE:
- Worsening of mild symptoms
- Confusion and irrational behaviour
- Uncontrollable coughing
- Blurred vision
- Hallucinations
- Coughing up fluid
- Convulsions
Strangely, there is no way to predict who might develop altitude sickness. A seasoned climber is just as likely to develop it as someone who has never been at altitude before.
There is no correlation between the level of fitness and the chance of developing altitude sickness – even the fittest and healthiest of individuals may suffer. And don’t be fooled into a false sense of security – just because you have not developed altitude sickness before, doesn’t mean you won’t in the future.
PREVENTION
- There are a number of things you can do to reduce your chances of developing altitude sickness such as:
- Ascending slowly and taking time to acclimatise is vital. It is recommended to ascend no more than 300m-500m a day, particularly when above 3,000m
- Keep yourself well hydrated with water and avoid alcohol
- Make sure you keep your energy levels up by eating a high-calorie diet
- Medication (see below)
MEDICATION
There are numerous medications available, including herbal remedies, that are aimed at preventing altitude sickness or reducing symptoms. Only one of these medications, acetazolamide (commonly known as Diamox), has been proven to be safe and effective. This is prescription-only medication so you’ll need to visit a travel clinic prior to your trip to obtain it.
Altitude sickness causes chemical changes in the blood and acetazolamide works by balancing these chemical changes, which in turn reduces symptoms. Unfortunately, as with every medication, acetazolamide has side effects. One of the most common side effects is the increased need to urinate, which can be frustrating while trekking.
It is also common to experience tingling sensations in the hands and feet. Tingling sensations can also be a sign of frostbite, so keep your hands and feet wrapped up warmer if trekking in colder climates and check them regularly if you are experiencing this.
TREATMENT
Mild altitude sickness can be managed by treating the symptoms. Basic painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help alleviate headaches, while promethazine can help reduce nausea and vomiting. Acetazolamide can also be used to treat altitude sickness if it is not already being taken as a preventative method. Consult your pharmacy to discuss doses for both prevention and treatment.
If you have developed mild altitude sickness, you should not progress to a higher altitude until your symptoms have been adequately managed. If you find your symptoms are getting progressively worse and not improving with treatment, descend immediately and seek medical attention before the condition becomes more serious.
Hiker Martin Richards suffered from altitude sickness on a five-day ascent of Kilimanjaro. “The first thing I noticed was that my energy levels plummeted,” he says. “Walking at a slow pace was difficult – I was left breathless. I developed a headache and felt very queasy in the stomach.
“My heartbeat was much faster than usual, and I had spells of dizziness. I took some ibuprofen and anti-sickness medication. Thankfull,y the symptoms subsided and I was able to continue the climb.”
Luckily for Martin, his case of altitude sickness was mild and manageable. In some cases, it can develop into one of two potentially life-threatening conditions: High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE) – or they can develop together. HAPE is when the lack of oxygen at high altitude causes a build-up of fluid in the lungs; HACE is when the lack of oxygen causes a build-up of fluid in the brain. Both can lead to a loss of consciousness and death within hours.
The symptoms of HAPE are breathlessness even when you are resting, high temperature and coughing up frothy spit. Symptoms of HACE are confusion and stumbling and uncharacteristic behaviour such as laziness, excessive emotion or violence. Oxygen can buy time and acetazolamide should be given if available but immediate descent is essential.
TO FINISH
So to summarise, the advice is simple: use preventative medication, ascend slowly, rehydrate and treat symptoms as soon as they occur. If you feel you’re getting worse, it’s time to accept defeat and descend.
WHO’S WRITING?
Tara Scarfe is a travel health nurse working for a specialist clinic in Central London. She has extensive experience in the field and provides travel vaccinations, malaria and other travel-related medication and travel health advice. She has travelled extensively in Central America, Europe and Australasia and hopes to visit South America in the near future. Tara particularly enjoys volcano hiking, and rain forest walks and is a keen skier.
