It is essential to know the symptoms and take preventive measures accordingly. There are no fixed measures to cure Acute Mountain Sickness, but you can take some preventive measures to reduce the chances of altitude sickness. It would be best if you took some measures to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness, which we are provided below:
1. Acclimatization – you need to give your body time to adjust to the change in altitude, which can be done by adding a day to the itinerary. Acclimatization day needs to be added for people coming from lower altitudes and going to a higher altitude; it does get adjusted to thinner air and lower oxygen level.
2. Improving your Health – preparing yourself to function appropriately at changing altitudes is imperative. The best way to do so is by improving the ability of your lungs and heart, which will you breathe in air pressure or less oxygen. Only those people are unfit, meaning they do not have the proper physical fitness to deal with issues. If you are an expert-level trekker but trying to complete the trek fast, you may also face issues after completion.
3. Diamox Course – Around the world, mountaineers and trekkers use Acetazolamide (Diamox) to acclimate the body. The prior course of Diamox helps the trekker in the high-altitude trek, as they will be prepared for it.
4. Gradual ascending – Walking through the trail, you must walk at a moderate pace and enjoy nature while taking it slow because it is not a race to the finish line. Even if you are walking slowly in the initial days of trekking, it will give your body enough time to adjust to the change in environment.
5. Hydrating yourself – It is essential to keep your body hydrated; you can do so by taking at least 4 liters of water per day. You can keep yourself hydrated by taking hot soup and hot beverages while you are in the mountains. You can check whether you are hydrated by looking at your urine; if it’s pale white or clear in color, it is okay, but if it’s yellow, you must drink more liquid.
6. Diet – When you are at a high altitude, as you need to take more carbs, you should avoid spicy, oily, and sugary food, and if you take extra carbs, it will get easily digested.
7. Regulating body temperature – You must maintain body heat by keeping yourself dry, as you will sweat during the day on the trails. Change from wet clothes to dry clothes once you reach the campsite. As if your clothes are wet, there are chances that you will get cold when the temperature drops. Also, be prepared to get wet by rain, which can be done by carrying a two-piece rain suit or poncho. Avoid using cotton clothes as they tend to absorb sweat, which makes it difficult to dry. Instead, you can wear synthetic clothes.
8. Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol – Your lungs get affected by smoking, as there is already less oxygen up there, and now you have reduced your lung capacity. Drinking causes your body to get dehydrated.
9. Sleep lower – Altitude sickness usually worsens during the night when you are sleeping. So it is better to climb high altitudes during the day and sleep at lower altitudes during the night, especially when climbing more than 1000 feet at one time.
