The Annapurna Circuit is one of the most famous treks in the world, and not for its natural beauty alone, but also for the stunning breathlessness that you’re certain to feel. It then climbs a track that is more than 5,000 meters, and it’s savage. But before you strap on those trail-tromping boots and set out into the open air, some of the most important information you can arm yourself with as a new enthusiast for the great outdoors is what to do about altitude sickness: What is it, how to know if you’ve got it, how to prevent it, and what to do about it if — when? Symptoms set in.
In no time, it can take a dream vacation and make it a nightmare. But with the right information and a little training and planning, you can reduce the risks you face and be at least as likely as your Western comrades in arms of achieving your dream of making it up — and then to the top of — the Himalayas.
What Is Altitude Sickness?
Altitude illness, additionally referred to as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is the reaction of the body not being acclimatised to the decreased levels of oxygen at higher altitudes. You climb better, there’s much less air, and your frame has to work harder for oxygen. This can cause complications, nausea, sluggishness, dizziness, and no longer being able to nod off, among other signs.
(Annapurna Circuit Trek Itinerary, it’s the classic area where you’d get AMS at ca. 250Thatthat you will bear will happen for most trekkers somewhere between Manang (3540m) and Thorong La Pass (5416m).
Common Symptoms to Watch For
The stay-safe trick is to know the symptoms at all levels. Symptoms: The only way to determine whether you have AMS is to recognize that “you’re not yourself.”You feel drunk, hangover headache (but not better by drinking some water), lightheaded, uncoordinated; if others seem super easy to irritate and make me feel grumpy.1/ You have a headache.
Trouble sleeping or frequent waking
Annapurna Circuit Trekking Passing out all of the time, or wanting to be awake to breathe its most extreme shape, AMS ends in excessive-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) that may be deadly. In case you enjoy any of the following symptoms, bury your head in a pillow, cover it, and sprint to the exits. These are just warmup symptoms: Confusion, Difficulty walking, Pressure in chest,t Cou, fatigue. gue
Prevention Is the Best Medicine
There’s no cure for altitude-related ailments, and the easiest way to take care of them is to avoid getting them in the first place. Been one of the earliest to pioneer the practical ascent practices of your everyday life hiking experience.
Take your time. Don’t rush your ascent. To you, like the gold standard: “climb high, sleep low.”
Acclimate in Manang. Most trekkers spend an acclimatization day or two in Manang village. Use this rest wisely. Hydrate and hike a few short acclimatisation walks – to Ice Lake or up to Gangapurna Lake, and at.
Stay hydrated. Your body will dehydrate more rapidly at high elevations simply by breathing and existing. – Prepare to drink a LOT of water (3-4 litres), but you know, try to avoid the coffee, tea, and beers – it’ll do the reverse, leaving you more dehydrated and upsetting your sleep… headaches, anyone?
Eat regularly. Not that there’s a whole lot there: You just pick at little things, as if snacking when you’re feeling nibblish. It’s when you go under pressure that you need all the carbs that you can get.
Consider Medication (But Use Responsibly)
a few trekkers take Diamox (acetazolamide), a medication this is believed to help the body acclimate with the aid of causing the consumer to breathe extra regularly. exceptional while: begin an afternoon or before you ascend to three,000 meters or higher (the capital of the Philippines, Manila, is 13 meters above it) and keep as you ascend further.
“Diamox is not curing, it is not going to cure the disease, it is not going to make your symptoms go away, but it is going to allow your body to acclimate minutes faster than it would have, and so that to us is the straw we’re grasping at.” You still have to build up slowly, remain superhydrate, and listen to your body. That’s so far in the future, you should ask your doctor whether a wise strategy, and how much to pack if it is.
What if You Feel Sick?
If you have read up to this level and you aren’t well, turn around and certainly give your body (at least a day to rest before it will acclimate. Milder symptoms typically can be resolved by resting, staying well hydrated, and sleeping at a lower altitude for an extra night.
And if they are indeed good signs, you might do well to be on your guard the next day. They’re what have athletes chit-chatting with their lungs, like, maybe we can chat up those gotta-have’em Em-nonsensicalubes that bring the all-important air to every hidden corner of ourselves, and then, when things veer a little off, the way down is the only way up. That’s what it is, flying by the seat of your pants. And no view, no postcard, no pass, is worth playing that kind of game of chance.
Plan for the worst case: You should be evacuated now. Insurance. Most trekkers will be covered by insurance with high-altitude rescue (in some areas, a local air lift by helicopter is available). Just remember to always read your insurance benefits and keep your emergency contact information current.
Travel with Awareness
Altitude affects everyone differently. “You can’t escape it if you’re fit, young, and experienced.” There are marathoners with the AMS and there are raw, rookitrekkingrs without it — a crapshoot, which is why it’s not as important as taking your health seriously and having a little humility.
A friend, or a group that likes to hike, if you can. Watch each other for symptoms. Guides and porters could be aware of the symptoms of AMS and will let you make the right selection through the trek.
Final Thoughts
Altitude illness is a potential danger whilst hiking the Annapurna Circuit, however there’s no reason it need to wreck your holiday.“Taking it easy” allows already fit people to adapt to the elevation, drink a bit more water, fuel up by nibbling on nutrient-packed nibbles, and LISTEN enough for their body to not only survive – but THRIVE – in high places!
Crossing Thorong La, and trekking in the high Himalayas, is one of the richest experiences a human being can have on the face of the earth – provided you do it in safety. …and listen to yourself, take in those views, that sparkling height you’re climbing, and when you get back home – as well as the pix and the memories – bring back with you the feeling of well-being, the healthy you.