Altitude sickness

Altitude Sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is particularly an important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal.  Altitude Sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3,000 meters. The initial symptoms of AMS  are as following

• Nausea, vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia / sleeplessness
• Persistent headache
• Dizziness, light headedness, confusion
• Disorientation, drunken gait
• Weakness, fatigue, lassitude, heavy legs
• Slight swelling of hand and face
• Breathlessness and Breathing irregularity
• Reduced urine output

These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In case of appearance  of any of the above symptoms any further ascent should be reconsidered  otherwise more serious problems can occur which can even cause death  sometimes within a few hours, the only cure for the Altitude Sickness  is to descend to a lower elevations immediately. Acclimatization by  ascending to no more than 300 to 500 meters per day above 3,000 meters  and the proper amount of rest are the best methods for preventions of  AMS.