Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

What is Mountain altitude sickness and how we prevent/treat it?

Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), altitude illness, or soroche, is a pathological condition that is caused by acute exposure to low air pressure (usually outdoors at high altitudes). It commonly occurs above 2,400 metres (approximately 8,000 feet).[1] Acute mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Headache is a primary symptom used to diagnose altitude sickness, although headache is also a symptom of dehydration. A headache occurring at an altitude above 2,400 meters (8000 feet = 76 kPa), combined with any one or more of the following symptoms, can indicate altitude sickness:

* Lack of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
* Fatigue or weakness
* Dizziness or light-headedness
* Insomnia
* Pins and needles
* Shortness of breath upon exertion
* Persistent rapid pulse
* Drowsiness
* General malaise
* Peripheral edema (swelling of hands, feet, and face).

Prevention

Avoid alcohol ingestion- As alcohol tends to dehydrate, avoidance in the first 24 hours at a higher altitude is optimal.
Drink Garlic water - a local remedy in Himachal & J&K recommended to all travelers is to soak garlic in warm water and keep sipping on it.
Avoid Strenuous activity - People with recurrent AMS note that by avoiding strenuous activity such as skiing, hiking, etc in the first 24 hours at altitude reduces their problems.
Altitude acclimatization - Altitude acclimatisation is the process of adjusting to decreasing oxygen levels at higher elevations, in order to avoid altitude sickness. Once above approximately 3,000 meters (10,000 feet = 70 kPa), most climbers and high altitude trekkers follow the "golden rule" - climb high, sleep low. For high altitude climbers, a typical acclimatization regime might be to stay a few days at a base camp, climb up to a higher camp (slowly), then return to base camp. A subsequent climb to the higher camp would then include an overnight stay. This process is then repeated a few times, each time extending the time spent at higher altitudes to let the body adjust to the oxygen level there, a process that involves the production of additional red blood cells.

Best Regards,
Giridhar B G

Tentative Schedule: Ladakh Driving Holidays August 2009

We are getting a lot of queries about the August 2009 Driving Trip. We are planning to block the tickets soon. The airfare has been slashed considerably and the cost for round trip Bangalore(any metro)--Delhi--Leh--Srinagar/Jammu—Delhi--Bangalore(any metro) is costing about Rs 7800/- to Rs 8500/-. Please let us know if you wish to block your tickets with us (bulk booking option).

The local transport in Leh would be 4-Wheel Drives & State transport Buses. Sometimes we will be making our own routes, a la Lonely Planet! The days are sunny & windy; night are cool. Thermals are not required.The tentative schedule for the Driving Holiday is given below. It might vary slightly based on the weather & other conditions in Ladakh region

Do fill up the form at the following link if you are interested in joining us on this Driving holiday!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=cjZreW10bWhZaDlGOWNQRTNTNVlJeGc6MA..


Day 0 Thursday 27-Aug-2009
Late Thursday late night flight to Delhi & take an Friday early morning flight to Leh from Delhi


Day 1 Friday 28-Aug-2009
Reach Leh; Acclimatize


Day 2 Saturday 29-Aug-2009
Tso Moriri


Day 3 Sunday 30-Aug-2009
back to leh - Relax



Day 3 Sunday 30-Aug-2009
back to Leh via Tso Kar & Tanglang La - Relax


Day 4 Monday 31-Aug-2009
Pangong Tso & Back to Leh


Day 5 Tuesday 01-Sep-2009
Relax in Leh or do local sight seeing


Day 6 Wednesday 02-Sep-2009
Khardung La & Back to Leh


Day 7 Thursday 03-Sep-2009
Leh to Zangla


Day 8 Friday 04-Sep-2009
Zangla to Padum (Zanskar Valley)


Day 9 Saturday 05-Sep-2009
Padum to Rangdum (Zanskar Valley)


Day 10 Sunday 06-Sep-2009
Rangdum to Panikhar (Suru Valley)


Day 11 Monday 07-Sep-2009
Panikhar to Kargi/Drass (Suru Valley)


Day 12 Tuesday 08-Sep-2009
Kargil/Drass to Srinagar via Sonmarg


Day 13 Wednesday 09-Sep-2009
Srinagar (EOJ)
Fly from Srinagar to Delhi in the morning flight. Take the evening flight from Delhi to Bangalore (EOJ)


Day 14 Thursday 10-Sep-2009
Katra


Day 15 Friday 11-Sep-2009
Vaishnodevi


Day 16 Saturday 12-Sep-2009
Fly from Jammu to Delhi in the morning flight. Take the evening flight from Delhi to Bangalore (EOJ)