Let's face it: Trekking at higher altitude can be truly transformational, if it's approached the right way.
However, if you mishandle it, you may run into a serious issue you wish you hadn't, only to later realise that attempting something as thrilling as the Everest Base Camp wasn't worth the effort you put into.
That's why, when you think about doing the Everest Base Camp, make sure you educate yourself of all the possible complications you may encounter on the way- particularly about Altitude Sickness.
So, let me make it easier for you by sharing what altitude sickness is and how you may navigate it in a way you can prevent it from spoiling your much-awaited Everest Base Camp Trek.
Without any ado, let's jump in.
Here's a table of contents which provides you with what this post has in store for your convenience.
Table of contents
What's Altitude Sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)?
What are the 3 stages of Altitude Sickness?
What are the causes of Mountain Sickness?
Few undeniable symptoms of Altitude Sickness
Who is at risk of Mountain Sickness?
How do you feel when you've Altitude Sickness?
How long does Mountain Sickness last?
What is the best remedy for Altitude Sickness?
How does Mountain Sickness impact your journey?
Let's Wrap This Up
WHAT'S ALTITUDE SICKNESS OR ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS (AMS)?
Altitude sickness is a medical condition in which a person's body fails to quickly adapt to the reduced oxygen level and decreased air pressure at higher altitude due to rapid ascending.
Now, what does that mean?
That means when you trek at a greater speed at higher altitude- beyond 3,000 m- without providing enough opportunities for your body to acclimatise or adjust with increasing elevation, low atmospheric pressure, and reduced oxygen level, it struggles.
It battles hard to adjust.
The battles are so hard, at times, they may even pose threat to your life.
Here's an eye-opening fact:
A survey was conducted in Switzerland among 827 mountaineers who ascended to 4,559 m.
The result showed, those who had no history of altitude-related sickness were 31% susceptible to Acute Mountain Sickness, if they ascended rapidly without proper acclimatisation.
16% of them were vulnerable to AMS with necessary acclimatisation but a rapid ascent.
11% of them were prone to Altitude illness with slow-ascent but no essential acclimatisation.
And only 4% of them were susceptible to mountain-related illness with both slow ascents and significant acclimatisation.
That's why when you trek to the Everest Base Camp, ascend slowly, acclimatise sufficiently, and then proceed ahead with caution.
It's as simple as that !
This way, you'll keep sickness at bay, plus make your journey truly memorable, allowing yourself for an immersive experience.
But-wait:
Regardless of how often you acclimatise or ascend, you should never ignore the physiological changes you experience due to gain in height.
Who knows what happens next!
All you require to do is be watchful of what physiological change you undergo through.
This allows you to know if the symptoms are actually related to AMS or not.
The moment you're sure of the syndromes and if they persist longer, stop ascending. Instead, descend to lower altitude ASAP.
WHAT ARE THE 3 STAGES OF MOUNTAIN SICKNESS?
Look, various factors come into play when trekking at higher altitude.
The more you go up the mountain, the more the external conditions change. And the more external conditions change, the more you're prone to sickness.
Remember, height plays a significant role here. What height you're at determines how severe AMS you're likely to suffer from.
Now, let me breakdown AMS into its various stages:
-
Short-term AMS:
If you're not used to mountain circumstances and trek above 3,000 M from sea level (ASL), you may see short-term Mountain illness syndrome.
Remember, it may take 12 to 24 hrs for the syndromes to occur.
But, relax! It's not as serious as severe AMS. And it won't interfere much in your day-to-day activity.
Stopping at the current altitude and taking rest together with sufficient intake of water, you can see your situation improving.
-
Moderate AMS:
Chances of Moderate AMS increases when you trek around 3000 m ASL.
When you spend a good deal of time- 24 to 48 hrs- in places above 3000 m, the body strives hard to adjust with the changed external conditions.
So, be aware! It interferes in your daily activity.
And if ignored, it may put your well-being at threat.
You'll notice worsening symptoms that won't improve until you go down to the lower altitude by 400 m to 700 m.
So descend without any delay and monitor your health condition.
Descending to lower heights works wonders as the air pressure there is comparatively higher than at higher altitude.
-
Severe AMS:
When you spend more than 48 hrs around 4000 m ASL, the possibility of suffering from severe AMS heightens.
You may experience shortness of breath even at rest. Also, due to lack of coordination you may not walk properly.
It affects your thinking ability, causing confusion and irrational behaviours.
In this case, all you have to do is talk to the person nearby and quickly descend to a lower altitude.
Don't forget to seek medical attention for your safety.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
Adventure at higher altitude feels as challenging as it's thrilling.
With each step you take on the rugged trails, height increases causing different changes in the atmosphere, and making your journey a roller coaster ride.
One moment, you may feel the surge of divine energy throughout your body, elevating your spirit, and making your journey truly exciting.
However, the other moment you may experience disturbing symptoms affecting your health, and killing all the joy and fun that comes with such a daring adventure.
Here's how:
As you go up towards the higher altitude, the atmospheric pressure plunges, and the oxygen density thins.
This heightens the person's struggle.
The person's body- heart and lungs- combat hard to maintain the oxygen level to run it's mechanism.
When the body strives utmost to function smoothly, keeping up with new barometric pressure and reduced oxygen level, it undergoes various changes.
And these changes manifest themselves as unnatural syndrome.
In fact, ignoring these syndromes for long and continuing going higher up the mountain may turn out to be fatal.
Fluids may build up in the lungs, or Brain tissues may swell from the leaked fluids, threatening your life.
That's why when you're doing the Everest Base Camp Trek, give your body sufficient time to acclimatise or adjust to the gained elevation so that your body will be in sync with the changed external conditions.
This way you'll provide enough time for your body to cope with perceived atmospheric changes and keep life-threatening Altitude Sickness at bay.
It's pretty obvious once you think about it.
FEW UNDENIABLE SYMPTOMS OF VARIOUS FORMS OF MOUNTAIN SICKNESS
Trekking to Everest Base Camp involves hiking above 2,860 m and goes up to 5,364 m.
The elevation you're about to trek on speaks louder how challenging the task is.
For someone who doesn't have much experience, trekking in the Himalayas may cause some problems adapting to new circumstances, gain in elevation brings.
But, with proper acclimatisation the game changes. It's as simple as that.
Believe it or not, as you ascend higher your body battles to cope with these newer atmospheric conditions, giving rise to various bullying symptoms you shouldn't ignore.
In fact, ignoring these serious symptoms may put you in a predicament you wish you hadn't been into.
But-wait..
Did you know?
The seriousness of symptoms can vary based on different factors.
-
The person's age, weight, blood pressure, and respiratory capacity
-
The speed at which a person climbs to a high altitude
-
The duration of time a person spent at that altitude
So, here's a list of symptoms you need to pay attention to for your safety
Short-Term AMS syndromes:
-
Mild headache
-
Fatigue and devoid of energy
-
Insomnia or sleep problems
-
Loss of appetite
-
Dizziness
Moderate AMS Symptoms:
-
Severe headache, Nausea, and vomiting
-
Growing weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath
-
Lack of coordination and difficulty in walking
-
Tightness or congestion in the Chest
-
Problem carrying out daily activities
Severe AMS Syndromes
HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU'VE ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
When you trek towards the Everest Base Camp, most of the time you've to hike above 3000 m.
As you go beyond 3000 m, a gradual feeling of fatigue and discomfort may creep in, making you feel as if something isn't right. Something is off.
This gross feeling you experience may be of Altitude Illness.
When you suffer from it, an unpleasant feeling of malaise overpowers you, preventing you from rejoicing in your trekking.
In fact, many symptoms come into play to make you feel that way.
One of the symptoms is a headache. You'll experience a throbbing pain in the head which causes you to be unsteady and lightheaded.
Likewise, you may also feel dizzy. You feel the world around you is revolving in a way you find it difficult to stand on your feet firmly.
Similarly, you'll also develop a symptom of nausea- feeling like vomiting.
The body's response to the changes in oxygen and overall physiological stress can contribute to these feelings of nausea and the urge to vomit.
This feeling of nausea shakes your world, disturbing you to your core, and prohibiting you from an immersive experience.
Not only that, you'll also run short of breath.
Though you may have an impression that this shortness of breath is due to feeling tired, but, no matter how long you rest, it won't go away.
And, all these symptoms combined with the chilling cold of the Khumbu region cause intense weariness, spoiling your mood to make the most out of your adventure.
The bottom line is:
An intense feeling of weariness overtakes you, giving you a signal that your body is fighting a specific condition to cope with it.
This is how you may feel, if you develop altitude syndromes when you're on the way to the EBC.
HOW LONG DOES MOUNTAIN SICKNESS LAST?
Once you get Mountain Sickness, it takes time to subside, given you shouldn't ascend higher, or descend to lower altitude, if symptoms continue even after 24 hours.
Before it subsides, it may even persist for certain times.
The question is?
How long does sickness last?
And the answer?
It depends. Depends on many factors. Depends on which stage Mountain Sickness you're suffering from.
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38;
