What to do to prevent altitude shock when going up the mountain?

Is altitude shock when climbing mountains dangerous? How to limit or regulate this?

I know a friend who recently went mountain climbing and suffered from severe altitude sickness. He had to be taken to the emergency room, and at one point, his life was in danger. So let me ask, what are the symptoms of altitude shock when climbing mountains? Is there any way to limit or correct this altitude shock?

Thank you.

Minh Anh

Reply:

Photographer Nguyen Viet Hung (Lekima Hung) often organizes group phototour programs to many places at home and abroad, including many places located at high average altitudes above sea level such as Tibet (4,900 m). ), Ladakh (5,200 m), Pakistan (4,100 m). Mr. Hung said one of the symptoms of altitude shock is a nosebleed. The reason is that at high altitude, the air is dry and the capillaries are thin, easily causing bleeding.

Mr. Hung's group is usually people in good health, but when coming to these places, everyone must prepare high-altitude shock-reducing drugs in advance. Prescriptions are prepared at home, with consultation from many international mountain climbers and qualified doctors. In addition, to improve health, Hung's group recommends using some functional foods, cordyceps, oxygen tablets and many others.

According to Mr. Hung, to limit altitude shock, it is necessary to design a schedule to ensure "altitude adaptation time", meaning there needs to be time to get used to it, without sudden changes in altitude. People with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or asthma should consider taking trips to these places. It is necessary to have a personal doctor to advise or accompany you if you still really want to participate.

Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh is 4,300 m high. Photo: Tuan Dao

Tuan Dao , a tourist in Hanoi who has been to Ladakh (India) twice, said the most obvious feeling when experiencing altitude shock is "headache, nausea and severe dizziness".

On his first trip to Ladakh a few years ago, he did not encounter any problems, so on his second trip last July, he subjectively did not bring any medicine and did not prepare himself mentally. "A few months before that, I was trekking in the Fairy Meadows nature reserve (Pakistan), going to a camping spot at the foot of a mountain over 3,300 meters high without any health problems. But when I returned to Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh At a height of 4,300 m, I suffered from altitude shock, windstroke, and malaria. I was delirious all night, had sharp pain in my head, dizziness, 'fainted' probably 50 times," Mr. Tuan said.

Mr. Tuan advises to prepare full equipment including anti-shock medicine at high altitude (consult your doctor in advance from home), nasal humidifier spray (when going to high altitude, the nose dries easily so it can bleed easily), thermal patches, and pants. Clothes, hats, and gloves are warm enough.

Mr. Pham Cuong , representative of a travel company specializing in adventure tours, also shared some experiences to limit altitude shock:

- You should not shower immediately upon arriving at a place with a large altitude difference

- Do not exercise vigorously or a lot because it will be very tiring. Sometimes moving 1 km feels like a few km.

- Drink more water than usual (normal standards are about 2 liters of water per day)

- Exercise physically before going to places where high altitude shock is possible, practice movements to help blood flow to the brain evenly

- Prepare brain tonic, cerebral circulation and anti-high altitude shock medications (need to consult a doctor)

- Prepare necessary items such as warm clothes (clothes, shoes), nose drops

In many places in tourist destinations such as Tibet, Ladakh or Pakistan, some places have oxygen supply lines. If visitors have mild symptoms, they can provide first aid on the spot. "You should be careful because in many cases, even if you jump Yomost to take a photo, you will have to go to the emergency room because of altitude shock," Mr. Hung added.