High Altitude Sickness(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

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