Every trekker and mountaineer may have experienced altitude sickness. The dream of exploring the highlands and hills is beautiful, but complications may arise. However, while exploring the beast is difficult, every climber and trekker is a natural warrior.
Nepal has challenging trekking trails and ten of the world's highest mountains. Every mountaineer wishes to speed up the difficult courses once in a lifetime.
All of the trails and itineraries are above 3000 meters in elevation. In the meantime, it is no surprise that the oxygen level decreases as height increases.
The extreme climate circumstances and topographical challenges may cause you to develop a variety of medical ailments. Buckle up to know more about high altitude sickness.
What is Altitude Sickness? Let us get to the details.
Climbing to a high altitude and exploring all the natural sites could be exciting. Yes, but only until you are depleted of oxygen. So far, so exciting, but we must proceed cautiously and carefully mark each path.
Getting more oxygen above 8000 feet than at sea level differs from what you expect. As one's height increases, the oxygen level decreases. Physical factors do not affect your body's ability to experience altitude sickness.
Altitude sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen in our bodies. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is not treated; it can become a medical emergency.
The body tries to adapt to lower amounts of oxygen by increasing breathing depth. But people nowadays acclimate according to their situation, making it much easier for their pathway towards the peak.
Causes of Altitude Sickness
Hypoxia, high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), and other neurological disorders that can result in death are all symptoms of high altitude sickness, a medical condition.
You might be a little perplexed by this phrase. Altitude sickness is a lack of oxygen in the body's tissues due to the surrounding area's thinner air density. Reducing air pressure brings on high-altitude hypoxia and poses a risk to the brain.
The relative density of air is directly related to altitude, which is the height above sea level. The air density decreases as the size rises.
Three categories of length exist: high (8000–12000 feet), very high (12000–18000 feet), and extreme (> 18000 feet).
The majority of hills and mountains are very tall and rugged. A physiological risk when staying at a high altitude is high altitude sickness. It is related to the increased RBCs and hemoglobin that balance out the low oxygen.
According to high-altitude pulmonary edema, mortality rate, when treated, can be as high as 11% and as high as 50% when untreated. The Everest region has the highest mortality rate, and the number of climbers drives that rate.
Most people need clarification about how much oxygen is available at high altitudes. Despite a decrease in oxygen partial pressure, oxygen availability is constant. In the end, this causes tissue oxygen levels to drop. However, you might wonder what we can do to learn its signs and causes. Find out all the symptoms and avoid ignoring the condition.
Symptoms of High Altitude Sickness
HMS is a problem that many travelers encounter. Both acute mountain sickness and HACE share pathological processes like increasing cerebral blood volume and the early onset of osmotic gradient-dependent intracellular edema. Among the typical signs of altitude sickness are;
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of hands and legs
These are a few typical symptoms that any average person may be familiar with. But you might need assistance from medical professionals to receive a complete medical diagnosis. Lung fluid accumulation and brain swelling may be signs of things worsening.
Fluid in the lungs is shown by;
- Persistent cough with pinkish septum
- Fever
Brain Swelling is shown by;
- A persistent headache without any effects from painkillers
- Numbness
- Dizziness
- Unsteady clumsiness
- Increased vomiting
- Change in consciousness
Keep an eye on these symptoms and get medical assistance in case of seriousness.
So what can be done to avoid altitude sickness?
You are well known for the symptoms of altitude sickness, but what can be done to deal with it? Let us find out.
Acclimatization
The process by which our body increases the number of RBCs or amplifies particular receptors to compensate for the low partial pressure of oxygen is known as "acclimatization."
A finger pulse oximeter monitors the physiological effects of high altitude when traveling. The acclimatization process lessens the body's adverse effects of low oxygen levels, enhancing circulation. When individuals traveled above 3000 meters for various purposes, high-altitude physiology was not widely understood.
These symptoms may worsen, and, in rare instances, life-threatening situations may arise when people who have not acclimated to high altitudes start engaging in adventurous activities. Some visitors could develop pulmonary or cerebral edema. The passengers quickly descend to sea level in this case. Rapid ascent to a high altitude while experiencing poor fitness and health; they resume normal function once they descend to sea level.
Acclimatization reduces the risk of contracting HACE, AMS, or HAPE while assisting travelers in quickly acclimatizing to the demanding conditions at high latitudes. The individual's physiology and immunity affect how well the acclimatization progresses after 5500 meters.
Slow stepping and staging are the most common tactical maneuvers for preventing high-altitude sickness and fostering rapid acclimatization.
Besides, It is true that "slow and steady wins the race." It is frequently advised to high-altitude visitors to avoid descending 500 meters daily after reaching 1000 meters. So make sure to walk safely and steadily.
Getting Medical Help
These signs and symptoms persist as the illness steadily deteriorates. However, anyone experiencing even a tiny symptom should inform those dealing with these conditions. Resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding anything that might lower blood oxygen levels, like oxygen, can all help to prevent severe symptoms.
Let us get to know some medicine that is useful for our treatment.
Tylenol and other pain relievers can be used to treat headaches. Anti-inflammatory medication ibuprofen is also beneficial.
A steroid hormone called dexamethasone reduces inflammation and immune response. It can lessen other complications and acute altitude sickness.
Doctors frequently suggest the calcium channel blocker nifedipine to patients with high blood pressure. It works well to treat lung fluid accumulation.
Acetazolamide is a well-known medication that increases breathing rate and corrects the chemical imbalance in the blood brought on by altitude sickness. Despite some side effects, this medication is beneficial in severe conditions.
Conclusion
High-altitude sickness and the number of climbers in various mountainous areas have increased. Therefore, all hikers and tourists are impacted by this problem. But now that everyone is driving carefully, the solution is always on the list.
Nepal is home to over eight of the world's tallest mountains and hills, all at very high altitudes. Each hiker should become familiar with these symptoms and seek medical help as necessary.
High altitude sickness could occur in someone not accustomed to living at high altitudes. Therefore, always consider all of these issues. Stay hydrated, exercise, and build up your immune system.