Salkantay Treks Height Sickness is also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), altitude disorder, hypobaropathy, or Soroche, is a pathological effect of high altitude on humans, caused by acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude. It commonly occurs above 2,400 masl (approximately 8,000 feet). Acute mountain sickness can progress to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high altitude cerebral edema (HACE).The causes of altitude sickness are not fully understood.
The percentage of oxygen in air remains essentially constant with altitude at 21% up until 70,000 feet (21,330 m), but the air pressure (and therefore the number of oxygen molecules) drops as altitude increases — consequently, the available amount of oxygen to sustain mental and physical alertness decreases above 10,000 feet (3,050m). Altitude sickness usually does not affect persons traveling in aircraft because the cabin altitude in modern passenger aircraft is kept to 8,000 feet (2,440 m) or lower.
Read about 4-day Salkantay Trek
A superficially related condition is chronic mountain sickness, also known as Monge’s disease, occurring only after prolonged exposure to high altitude. An unrelated condition, often confused with altitude sickness, is dehydration, due to the higher rate of water vapor lost from the lungs at higher altitudes.
Those who ascend rapidly to altitudes greater than 2500m (8100 ft) may develop Salkantay Treks Height Sickness. In Peru, this includes Cusco (3400m) and Lake Titicaca (3800m). Being physically fit offers no protection. Those who have experienced altitude sickness in the past are prone to future episodes. The risk increases with faster ascents, higher altitudes and greater exertion. Symptoms at Salkantay Treks Height Sickness may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, malaise, insomnia and loss of appetite.
Severe cases may be complicated by fluids in the lungs (high-altitude pulmonary edema) or swelling of the brain (high-altitude cerebral edema) If symptoms are more than mild or persist for more than 24 hours (far less at high altitudes), descend immediately by at least 500 meters and see a doctor.
Book Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu all included
To help prevent Salkantay Treks Height Sickness, the best measure is to spend two nights or more at each rise of 1000m. Alternatively, take 125mg or 250mg of acetozolamide (Diamox) twice or three times daily starting 24 hours before ascent and continuing for 48 hours after arrival at altitude. Possible side effects include increased urinary volume, numbness, tingling, nausea, drowsiness, myopia and temporary impotence.
Acetazolamide should not be given to pregnant women or anyone with a history of sulfa allergy. For those who cannot tolerate acetazolamide, the next best option is 4mg of dexamethasone taken four times daily. Unlike acetazolamide, dexamethasone must be tapered gradually upon arrival at altitude; since there is a risk that altitude sickness will occur as the dosage is reduced.
When trekking Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu » Salkantay Treks Height Sickness » are the important factors to be considered because there is always a real danger of mild to serious problems related to altitude and it is important that trekkers understand that they will be affected to a greater or lesser extent when they ascend to altitudes over about 3000 meters.
I advise my clients to remember the following suggestion when you are on trekking the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. The following are the basic symptoms of the altitude sickness and to avoid such sickness I recommend few important points.
- Basic Symptoms : (I) Loss of appetite (II) Sleep disturbance (III) Difficult to pass urine
- Medium Symptoms : (I) Headache which is bad (II) Irregular breathing (III) Nausea (IV) Mild weakness
- Serious Symptoms: (I) Slight swelling of hands and face (II) Cannot stand upright without swaying while eyes are closed. (III) Can hear gurgling sound in the chest. (IV) Zero energy.
- I want to request my clients that please feel free to discuss any kind of trouble with me whether it is simply gastro-intestinal or altitude related.
Book Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu; it is all included Tour
What to do about Salkantay Treks Height Sickness?
The Salkantay Treks Height Sickness can be prevented by acclimatization; that is, by a graduate rate of ascent (not more than 400 – 500 meters), allowing sufficient rest at various intermediate altitudes. The dry air of the mountains tends to dehydrate you so an increased fluid intake is necessary. Try to drink at least four liters of water a day.
On the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu you can drink hot garlic soup that will help you to some extent. When we reach to our destination it is better to make some hiking up to a bit higher point and come down to the camp. This is a really good way to get high-altitude acclimatization.
Why does Salkantay Treks Height Sickness occur?
The air at high altitudes like: Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, contains less oxygen than at sea level. Your body has to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. Over several days at high altitude, your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air.
Many people travel from sea level to mountain altitudes of 6,000 to 10,000 feet and start vigorous physical activity right away. Not giving the body time to adjust to the higher elevation can cause altitude sickness.
Certain health factors increase the risk of altitude sickness. These include:
- Dehydration.
- Smoking
- Anemia
- Chronic lung problems such as asthma or emphysema
- Drinking too much alcohol a history of previous altitude sickness
Many people who are physically fit assume they won’t get altitude sickness because they are in good shape. However, being in good shape does not protect against altitude sickness.
Pulmonary or cerebral altitude edema may start out as a milder form of altitude sickness. It may then worsen into one of these more serious problems. But sometimes the edema occurs without the usual symptoms of mountain sickness.
What Are The Symtoms for Salkantay Treks Height Sickness?
With altitude sickness, you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have:
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble breathing during exercise
- If you have pulmonary edema, excess fluid builds up in your lungs. You may become short of breath and start coughing. It may become very hard for
- you to breathe. You may cough up pink mucous.
