Acute Mountain Sickness in Everest Base Camp Trek
- 06-Feb-2015
- 0
Everest base camp trek is one of the most popular trekking adventures in the world. This trip is even more enjoyable when we have knowledge about altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS), its preventive measures, symptoms, and medicines which are explained as follows:
Preventive measures of acute mountain sickness during the trek to Everest base camp:
During your EBC adventure, keep refueling your body with water and energy drinks, acclimatize properly in Namche bazaar / Dingboche, and avoid enduring activities. Following this information helps you in avoiding mountain sickness. Do not climb too fast, descend to lower elevations as soon as you feel symptoms, take time, acclimatize properly, and consult a doctor if the case worsens. If you feel ok, then ascend at a slower pace. Usually, carelessness in carrying out these simple preventive measures can cause severe cases of altitude sickness.
Symptoms of acute mountain sickness in Everest base camp trip:
While joining this EBC adventure most commonly experienced symptoms are mild headache, breathlessness, loss of appetite, and difficulty in sleeping usually seen after crossing an altitude of 3860 meters at Tengboche. Vomiting, diarrhea, and feeling of a hangover can be considered moderate-level symptoms. Similarly, if you feel drowsiness, swollen body, blue-black lips, and unconsciousness then it is regarded as severe symptoms of altitude sickness.
Medicine for acute mountain sickness during Everest base camp hike:
Carry tablets of Diamox or Acetazolamide with you while embarking for Everest base camp to make your body adjust to high altitudes. As recommended by medical professionals, a dosage of 125 mg to 250 mg twice a day two days before a trek is advised. And continue your three days dosage at the 8th, 9th, and 10th day of the trek at Dingboche, Lobuche, and Everest base camp (Gorakshep) respectively which are the higher altitude regions of Everest base camp trek. You can get the medicine easily in your nearby medical store or Kathmandu.
