acute mountain sickness

High altitude sickness

Altitude sickness may occur when trekkers ascend in the high mountain too quickly over 3000 m. AMS is sickness in the human body reaction to atmospheric pleasure and reduction of oxygen level in the atmosphere. While trekking higher the altitude, lesser the level of oxygen and lesser the atmospheric pleasure. 

Himalayan Ecstasy provides expert guide who has very good knowledge of AMS and trained how to tackle the AMS while trekking in the high altitude. Our guides are regular trekker from the mountain who has very little chances of AMS because of their local adaption in the environment.

What happens to the body during acute mountain sickness (AMS)

• Body system tries to adopt of having less available oxygen by increasing the rate and depth of breathing and heart beat rate.
• While trekking you feel Soft symptoms of headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, sleepiness and dizziness. Stay one or two extra nights in the same location resolve these symptoms. If these symptoms worsen, descend as soon as possible to the lower altitude.
• While trekking, if serious type of symptoms of AMS occurs increased tiredness, vomiting, severe headache, shortness of breath 
• More serious symptoms of AMS include increased tiredness, severe headaches, vomiting, loss of coordination, shortness of breath and regular cough; these are extreme dangerous symptoms of called high altitude cerebral edema (or HACE), this kind of symptoms lead the trekker unconsciousness and death. Increase of short breath and tiredness are the symbols of high altitude pulmonary edema or HAPE. 

Altitude sickness guidelines 

• Consume lot of water while trekking
• Avoid alcohol , smoking and sleeping tablet
• Use preventive tablet for AMS
• Avoid carrying heavy weight and over irritation
• Avoid trekking alone
• Don’t climb high if you have any symptoms of AMS
• Descend as soon as possible if you have any AMS symptoms
• Never leave anybody with of AMS
• Use warm clothes be aware about overexertion

Altitude Oxygen Rate:

In Meters       O₂  %

8850                  33%

8000                   36%

7000                   41%

6000                  47%

5500                  50%

5200                  52%

5000                 53%

4500                 57%

4000                 60%

3500                 64%

3000                 68%

2500                73%

1000               88%

Sea Level 100%