Introduction to Altitude Sickness and Prevention
Altitude sickness refers to the pathological reaction of hypoxia caused by the low-pressure and low-oxygen environment when people from plains enter high-altitude areas (above 3,000 meters). The main symptoms include headache, insomnia, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, etc. It is a common disease in plateau areas.
Headache, dizziness, chest tightness, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, purple lips, elevated blood pressure, weakness in the legs, insomnia and many dreams. People with better physical fitness can recover spontaneously without treatment within one or two days; those with poorer physical fitness will have a relatively longer period of discomfort. People with severe reactions need to inhale oxygen and take medicine.
There is no need for any physical exercise before going to Tibet. Just pay attention to less activity, more rest, and keep an early to bed and early to rise schedule before entering Tibet.
Who is not suitable to go to the plateau?
If you have never been to a plateau before, before entering the plateau, you must undergo a strict physical examination. If obvious lesions are found in the heart, lungs, brain, liver, and kidneys, or if you are a patient with severe anemia or high blood pressure, please do not blindly enter the plateau. If you only have a general disease, necessary preventive measures must be taken in advance, such as carrying oxygen with you.
Among the currently known conditions, people with heart disease, high blood pressure, and asthma are not suitable to enter Tibet. In addition, if you have a severe cold, it is recommended to enter Tibet after recovery.
It should be noted that pregnant women living in plains are very not recommended to enter Tibet, as this has a certain impact on the pregnant woman’s body and fetal development.
Elderly people over 60 years old, regardless of whether their bodies are suitable for the plateau, are not recommended to enter Tibet. For elderly people with strong bodies, if they enter Tibet accompanied by family members, they also need to go to the hospital for relevant examinations in advance.
In addition, we generally recommend that children under 8 years old should not enter plateau areas.
In addition, women with anemia and hypoglycemia are also prone to altitude sickness when entering Tibet.
What should be paid attention to when first entering the plateau?
When first entering the plateau of Tibet, walk slowly, talk less, sleep more, and drink less alcohol. Specifically, the following points should be noted:
(1) Eliminate the fear of altitude sickness and avoid mental stress.
(2) People with upper respiratory tract infections should be cured before entering the plateau, otherwise they cannot enter the plateau.
(3) One to two days before entering the plateau, appropriate anti-altitude sickness health products and medicines can be taken, such as Gaoyuan’an, Danshen Tablets, Wujiapi, etc.
(4) The climate on the plateau changes quickly and the temperature difference between day and night is large. Prepare enough cold-proof clothing to avoid catching a cold due to cold. When entering Tibet on National Day in October, bring a sweater.
(5) Eat easily digestible, nutritious foods rich in various vitamins, and eat less foods high in fat. Do not eat too much. Do not smoke and drink less alcohol.
(6) Pay attention to rest. Do not take a bath when you first arrive in Lhasa, as it is easy to increase the chance of altitude sickness.
(7) Inhale oxygen appropriately. There are oxygen inhalation rooms in local clinics and hospitals, but it is recommended not to inhale oxygen if possible.
(8) People with heart disease, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure and other diseases are not suitable to go to the plateau to avoid accidents.
(9) Tibet is located at a high altitude and has strong ultraviolet rays. Pay attention to sun protection. Prepare sun protection supplies before entering Tibet.
What medicines should be taken for altitude sickness?
1. Medicines containing Rhodiola rosea ingredients. For example: Gaoyuan’an, Gaoyuanshuning, Nuodikang.
2. Traditional Chinese medicine tablets containing American ginseng.
3. Gaoyuankang, a conscientious medicine from the research institute of the Tibet Military Region. It is a western medicine. Please follow the doctor’s advice.