|
|
Acute Mountain Sickness(or AMS) |
|
 |
|
| AMS is very common at high altitude. At over 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) 75% of people will have mild symptoms. The occurrence of AMS is dependent upon the elevation, the rate of ascent, and individual susceptibility. Many people will experience mild AMS during the acclimatization process. The symptoms usually start 12 to 24 hours after arrival at altitude and begin to decrease in severity around the third day. |
The symptoms of Mild AMS include:
Headache
Nausea & Dizziness
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Disturbed sleep
General feeling of malaise
|
| Symptoms tend to be worse at night and when respiratory drive is decreased. Mild AMS does not interfere with normal activity and symptoms generally subside within two to four days as the body acclimatizes. As long as symptoms are mild, and only a nuisance, ascent can continue at a moderate rate. |
The altitudes of different places in Tibet
Place |
Altitude |
Place |
Altitude |
Lhasa |
3658 m
12001 ft |
Nyingchi |
3000 m
9843 ft |
Nagqu |
4507 m
14787 ft |
Tsedang |
3500 m
11483 ft |
Qamdo |
3205 m
10515 ft |
Xigatse |
3836 m
12585 ft |
Damshung |
4200 m
13780 ft |
Gyangtse |
4040 m
13255 ft |
Pome |
2750 m
9022 ft |
Tingri |
4300 m
14108 ft |
Amdo |
4800 m
15748 ft |
Zayui |
2325 m
7628 ft |
|
|
Tips to avoid AMS
1. Do not overexert yourself or more higher for the first 24 hours.
2. If you begin to show symptoms of moderate altitude sickness, don't go higher until symptoms decrease.
3. Stay properly hydrated. Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid loss, so you need to drink lots of fluids to remain properly hydrated.
4. Take it easy and don't overexert yourself when you first get up to altitude. But, light activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating the symptoms.
5. Avoid tobacco, alcohol and other depressant drugs including, barbiturates, tranquillisers, sleeping pills and opiates such as dihydrocodeine. These further decrease the respiratory drive during sleep resulting in a worsening of symptoms.
6. Remember: Acclimatisation is inhibited by overexertion, dehydration, and alcohol.
7. Prepare some AMS pills according to your doctor's suggestion.
8. Do exercises to keep you fit before coming to Tibet.
|
Who can't go
Everyone should have more or less altitude symptoms. However, those who have the following symptoms may not going to Tibet
1. something relating to Tuberculosis, pneumonia, serious tracheitis, bronchitis
2. Serious heart attack, high blood pressure
3. have already got a serious cold
|
|
|
|
