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Now a day everybody talks about adventure and most of the people want to indulge in all kind of adventures activities. Mainly trekking and mountaineering…………… They love to trek. There are different kinds of trekking from short, long and high altitude trekking. It is always necessary to know about the problems created during the trekking. Most probably the minor and major problems of trekking and over coming with its remedies are most essential.
Here I want to discuss about the fact created during the time of trekking. If it is neglected some serious problems can be faced. It is natural phenomenon that if any person climbs higher and higher from the sea level they face the problem of oxygen. Due to lack of oxygen many things can happened. I just want to discuss some. How they occur, what are the symptoms, its treatments and its percussions are the few things which I discuss and explain in brief…………….
ALTITUDE ILLNESS
Lack 0f oxygen is the main cause for Altitude Illness. Though problems normally occur 800 ft. or above, it can also happen as low as 5000 ft. in winter due to cold and stress.
Altitudes are defined as: -
High Altitude : - 8000 - 14000 ft.
Very High Altitude : - 14000-18000 ft.
Extreme Altitude : - Above 18000 ft.
There is six factors that the Incidence and Severity of Altitude Illness: - 1) The faster you ascend the greater the risk.
2) Higher and High Protein diet increases the risk.
3) The higher you sleep the greater the risk.
4) The longer you stay the greater the risk.
5) Hard exertion without rest increases the risk.
6) Some people are inherently more susceptible to fall ill.
Three common types of Altitude Illness are: - 1. Acute Mountain Sickness
(AMS).
2. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
(HAPE) and
3. High Altitude Cerebral Edema
(HACE).
1. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
This can happen if you make rapid ascent to 8000ft. or above without acclimatizing. It can also happen if you make abrupt ascent to higher altitude with partial acclimatizing or without proper rest. You may have any one or more symptoms which normally start 6-72 hours after ascent.
Symptoms · Headache
· Nausea, Vomiting
· Collection of fluid in hand and face
· Confusion
· Loss of Appetite
· Bluish appearance in finger bed nails and around the mouth.
· Dizziness or uneasy feelings.
· Disturbed sleep (breathing stopping for 5-50 seconds).
Precautions · Ascend Rationally: - Not more than 1000 ft. at a time after 6000 ft. Acclimatize before further ascent.
· Don’t Hide Symptoms: - Inform group leader, organizer and other as soon as you notice any symptoms.
· If Symptoms Develop: - Stop ascent immediately.
Treatments · Drink plenty of fluid, limit exercise and activity, take aspirin but no sleeping pills, no alcohol, no cigarettes. If symptoms develop monitor them closely.
· Descend 2000-3000 ft. immediately if symptoms worsen or you develop symptoms of “High Altitude Pulmonary Edema” or “High Altitude Cerebral Edema”.
2. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
HAPE is less common but more serious than Acute Mountain Sickness. There is abnormal fluid collection in the lungs. HAPE normally occurs above 8000 ft. and is more in young males. You may have any two or three symptoms which normally start 24-96 hours after ascent.
Signs and Symptoms of “HAPE” · Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness.
· Fatigue with/without fever.
· Shortness of breath on Exertion (climbing).
· Tightness of chest or congestion because of collection of fluid in the lungs.
· Dry cough
· Disturbed sleep (breathing stopping for 5-50 seconds).
· Increased heart rate and respiratory rate.
Treatment of “HAPE” · Descend 2000-3000 ft. immediately or keep descending till you feel better. Do not wait and hope symptoms might improve. It could worsen and become fatal. Do not mistake symptoms for Flu, Bronchitis or Pneumonia. Keep person warm as cold aggravates HAPE.
Sign and Symptoms as HAPE “Worsens” · Symptoms of very Acute Mountain Sickness.
· Fatigue and weakness.
· Shortness of breath without Exertion (walking).
· Rattling sound can be heard with a stethoscope because of fluid collection in the lungs.
· Harsh irritating cough.
· Inability to co-ordinate voluntary muscular movement.
Treatment of HAPE “Worsens” · Descend now and keep descending till symptoms improve and consult doctor. You may require oxygen and hospitalization. Never leave a person with altitude illness alone.
Signs and Symptoms of HAPE becomes “Severe” · Symptoms of Severe Mountain Sickness.
· Extreme fatigue and weakness.
· Shortness of breath while resting (lying down).
· Rattling sound can be heard without a stethoscope because of fluid collection in the lungs.
· Productive frothy cough (sputum) often blood smeared or white, pinkish or rusty in color.
Treatment of HAPE becomes “Severe” · This is medical Emergency. Give 100 %!o(MISSING)xygen at 4.6 liters per minutes and use portable hyperbaric chamber if available. These can be life saving. Descend immediately by ambulance car, stretcher, helicopter etc. Exertion like walking could also be Fatal. Hospitalization is necessary and urgent. Sudden death can happen within hours.
3. High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
HACE is swelling of the brain due to damage of train tissue. This is caused by HYPOXIA (lack of oxygen). HACE is rare but can be sudden and severe. Immediate descent and hospitalization is essential. Sudden collapse and death can happen within hours.
Symptoms of “HACE” · Severe Lassitude.
· Hallucinations.
· Vision disturbances.
· Change in level of consciousness.
· Acute Mountain Sickness.
· Headache, Nausea and vomiting.
· Bluish appearance in finger bed nails and around mouth.
· Inability to co-ordinate voluntary muscular movement this evident first in lower extremity then upper.
o Paralysis.
o Seizures
o Staggering gait.
Treatments of “HACE” · Descend - Descend - Descend - Descend waiting can result in sudden death. Give oxygen and take to hospital.
GOLDEN RULES FOR ALTITUDE ILLNESS
Ascend rationally, sleep low, take high carbohydrate diet and drink plenty of fluids. If you feel unwell at altitude, it is Altitude Illness until proven otherwise. If you get symptoms stop ascent immediately.
If symptoms worsen or you develop symptoms of HAPE or HACE
Descend - Descend- Descend
(This is the only definitive treatment).
Hope you all come to know about many facts about Altitude Illness. So, keep in your mind everything before going for trekking or mountaineering…………… I guess some how, I helped to overcome with many things regarding Altitude Illness……………………………………….
Thanking You
Rinzing Lama
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