Altitude Sickness

AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) is very common at high altitude. At over 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) 75% of people will have mild symptoms. The occurrence of AMS is dependent upon the elevation, the rate of ascent, and individual susceptibility. Many people will experience mild AMS during the acclimatization process. The symptoms usually start 12 to 24 hours after arrival at altitude and begin to decrease in severity around the third day.

The symptoms of Mild AMS include:

Headache
Nausea & Dizziness
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Disturbed sleep
Malaise

Symptoms tend to be worse at night and when respiratory drive is decreased. Mild AMS does not interfere with normal activity and symptoms generally subside within two to four days as the body acclimatizes. As long as symptoms are mild, and only a nuisance, ascent can continue at a moderate rate.

Tips to avoid AMS:

• Maintaining a good attitude is very important to you, most of time, the AMS is triggered by the fear of the high altitude, and a positive attitude helps reducing the chance of the AMS.
• Do not carry out visiting activity on the arrival day, take more time to rest and acclimatize. Exercises, such as climbing or running, do not do either.
• Drink more water and eat fruits rich of vitamin, keep warm and do not take shower until you fully acclimatized in case of catching cold which is, actually, the biggest thread to your safety.
• Avoid tobacco, alcohol and other depressant drugs including, barbiturates, tranquillizers, sleeping pills and opiates. These further decrease the respiratory drive during sleep resulting in a worsening of symptoms.
• Remember: Acclimatization is inhibited by overexertion, dehydration, and alcohol.
• Prepare some AMS pills according to your doctor's suggestion.
• Do exercises to keep you fit before coming to Tibet

Who can't go?

• Something relating to Tuberculosis, pneumonia, serious tracheitis, bronchitis
• Serious heart attack, high blood pressure
• Have already got a serious cold