Acute mountain sickness


The acute evil of Montana It is also known as altitude sickness or mountain sickness. This is due to the body's lack of adaptation to the hypoxia (deprivation of oxygen in the body or somewhere in particular) from altitude. It usually affects smokers and people with heart problems much more. Around 5,000 m. high there is about half of the oxygen breathed at the level of the sea.

Over time, the human body adapts to altitude by increasing red blood cells. Some days of stop on the way to get used to the changes are highly recommended. For example, a couple of days in Arequipa (Peru) at about 2,300 m. altitude, before continuing your trip to Cusco and the Inca Trail at 4,000 m. more height, will be of great help to your body and help you to have a better performance during the crossing.


Some of the places The most popular ones where you can suffer this problem without having to climb a mountain are: Peru, Bolivia, Mexico and Tibet. The symptoms can be divided into two stages:

- Stage 1: dizziness, nausea, headaches, insomnia, shortness of breath, loss of appetite. Try to rest, eat well, and drink plenty of water. You'll be fine in a couple of days. But if the symptoms continue you will go to ...
- Stage 2: dry cough, vomiting, confusion, loss of balance and coordination. Finally, pulmonary edema may occur. Continue hydrating yourself and come down as soon as possible. Call the doctor for advice on taking any medication.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS); What Happens Up There ???? (March 2024)


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