12/06/2023
I want to share what I have learned from years of travel in high altitude areas with other members (Photo is Stakna Gompa):
As you all know Acute Mountain Sickness is a very real problem, and with more and more people traveling to higher areas like LADAKH, Spiti, It just becomes more important to know about it. AMS can hit anyone anytime regardless of age/gender and fitness status, but more fit you are, less the chances. To decrease your chances of getting AMS:
Drink plenty of water, stay hydrated. Body expels water when trying to acclimatize so you need more water.
Take a rest day if traveling by air and never exert yourself. If traveling by road, take night stops in between where altitude is lower. Give your body some time to get acclimatized.
Eat high carbohydrate easy to digest breakfast and eat plenty, even if you don't feel much hungry. Porridge is best. Avoid Non Veg, heavy food, alcohol and don't romanticize "Pahado waali Maggie" because admit or not, you know it's s**t from health point of view.
If you feel bloating/ flatulence at high altitude, take on raw garlic kernel, chew it empty stomach and drink lukewarm water with it, It will help.
If you feel headache, drink water, if it doesn't help, take one Disprin and take some rest. Don't sleep during day.
The surface water flowing in mountains helps in acclimatization process, drink that after verifying the source from locals, avoid packaged water.
If you feel confusion and mental fog, visit nearest health center as soon as possible, because there is no cure for AMS. Only thing you can do is move to a lower altitude.
If you adopt careless"I'm a Sakht launda attitude", AMS can further deteriorate into Pulmonary/Cerebral Edema and it can be fatal. So please be careful. Wishing all members health and happiness