Is altitude sickness dangerous when climbing mountains? How can it be limited or controlled?
I know a friend who recently went mountain climbing and suffered from severe altitude sickness, had to be rushed to the emergency room, and was at one point in danger of his life. So, what are the symptoms of altitude sickness when mountain climbing? Is there any way to limit or control this altitude sickness?
Thanks.
Minh Anh
Reply:
Photographer Nguyen Viet Hung (Lekima Hung) often organizes group Phototours to many places in and outside the country, including many places at high average altitudes such as Tibet (4,900 m), Ladakh (5,200 m), Pakistan (4,100 m). Hung said that one of the symptoms of altitude sickness is nosebleeds. The reason is that when you go up high, the air is dry, and the capillaries are thin, which can easily cause bleeding.
Mr. Hung's group is usually healthy, but when going to these places, everyone must prepare in advance anti-high altitude shock medications. The prescriptions are prepared at home, with the consultation of many international mountaineers and specialized doctors. In addition, to improve health, Mr. Hung's group recommends using some functional foods, cordyceps, oxygen tablets and many other types.
According to Mr. Hung, to limit altitude shock, it is necessary to design a schedule that ensures "altitude acclimatization time", which means there needs to be time to get used to it, without sudden changes in altitude. People with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, asthma should consider participating in trips to these places. It is necessary to have a personal doctor consult or go with you if you still really want to participate.
Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh is 4,300 m high. Photo: Tuan Dao
Tuan Dao , a tourist from Hanoi who has been to Ladakh (India) twice, said the most obvious feeling when suffering from altitude sickness is "headache, nausea and severe dizziness".
During his first trip to Ladakh a few years ago, he did not encounter any problems, so on his second trip last July, he subjectively did not bring any medicine or prepare mentally in advance. "A few months before, I trekked the Fairy Meadows Nature Reserve (Pakistan), reaching the campsite at the foot of a mountain over 3,300 m high without any health problems. But when I returned to Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh at 4,300 m high, I suffered from altitude sickness, windstroke and malaria. I was delirious all night, my head ached, I was dizzy, I passed out probably 50 times," said Mr. Tuan.
Mr. Tuan recommends preparing a full set of equipment including anti-altitude shock medicine (consult your doctor at home in advance), nasal spray (the nose is dry at high altitudes and can easily bleed), heat patches, warm clothes, hats, and gloves.
Mr. Pham Cuong , representative of a travel company specializing in adventure tours, also shared some experiences to limit altitude shock:
- You should not bathe immediately after arriving at a place with a large altitude difference.
- You should not exercise too much or too hard because it will make you very tired. Sometimes you can move 1 km but it feels like several km.
- Drink more water than usual (normal standard is about 2 liters of water per day)
- Exercise before going to places with high altitudes, practice movements to keep blood flowing to the brain.
- Prepare brain tonics, brain circulation and anti-high altitude shock drugs (need to consult a doctor)
- Prepare necessary items such as warm clothes (clothes, shoes), nose drops
In many tourist destinations such as Tibet, Ladakh or Pakistan, some places have oxygen lines. If tourists have mild symptoms, they can self-treat on the spot. "Be careful because in many cases, just jumping on Yomost to take pictures will require emergency treatment due to altitude sickness," Mr. Hung added.
Tam Anh
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