ALTITUDE SICKNESS

All travelers whose itineraries will take them above an altitude of 1829 – 2438 meters (6000-8000ft) should be aware of the risk of altitude sickness. There is no way to tell who will be susceptible to this illness. Some people are never affected, while others who appear to be in excellent health and great physical condition may still find themselves affected by altitude. The early stages of altitude sickness most often occur in abrupt ascents to over 2743 meters (9000ft). The early symptoms generally resemble an alcohol hangover: headache, profound fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and occasionally, vomiting. Onset of symptoms is often delayed, appearing 6-12 hours after arriving at the higher altitude. These symptoms, though uncomfortable, in and of themselves are not of great concern and will generally resolve themselves with time and rest. It is important, however, not to ascend to sleep at a higher altitude when already experiencing some of these symptoms. It is important for every traveler to learn about the symptoms of altitude illness and not to be embarrassed to inform their guide or other persons in their party when they recognize they are personally suffering from it. If the symptoms become worse to include profound lethargy, confusion, dizziness, and breathlessness which does not resolve after a period of rest, it then becomes critical to descend to a lower altitude until symptoms desist. In most cases, the onset of symptoms of altitude sickness are slow and predictable, and there is little reason why anyone should die from this illness unless trapped by weather or geography in a situation where descent is impossible
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The best way to avoid altitude illness is through acclimatization – a gradual ascent with a period of rest and the avoidance of exertion during this time. We have no desire to terrify anyone into hypochondria regarding this issue. In all of our experience we have had no problems with altitude illness when traveling through any of the Amdo or Kham areas on our itineraries. However, it can happen and is serious enough that we want to be sure all travelers are aware of the risks and symptoms ahead of time. Many of the early symptoms are similar to normal physiologic changes that occur in every person who goes to altitude as the body adjusts to the decreasing availability of oxygen. However, it is also common for travelers to be embarrassed and feel that it shows weakness on their part to admit they are suffering from this illness. The best prevention of any serious problem is to tell people what’s going on right away, so we may monitor the situation and alter our program to get to a lower altitude as quickly as possible.

There are some medications that some people use to prevent altitude sickness from occurring. These include Acetazolamide / Diamox, and Dexamethasone, and some people also recommend the use of gingko biloba as a more natural preventative method. It is advisable to seek medical advice on this subject. Some people prefer not to use any of these products as many do have side effects, but some may choose to bring some along for emergencies as they can also be used to treat altitude sickness once it has begun. In all situations, the best prevention is to be well rested and healthy, to take the ascent slowly, and simply be mindful of your body’s reactions to it’s changing environment.
For more information on this subject, please visit the following sites:

www.high-altitude-medicine.com/AMS.html
www.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/altitude.htm

HEALTH and TRAVEL INSURANCE

Most normal health insurance policies do not cover international travel and some people feel it wise to acquire health and travel insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, for the duration of their travels. Medical Evacuation Insurance is recommended by some people because if you were to have a serious illness or accident while traveling and did not feel comfortable with the level of health care available in your immediate locale, the cost of flying you out to your home country for medical care can be extremely high. If you choose to acquire such insurance you will find that it is relatively inexpensive—some companies have very large amounts of coverage for several weeks for less than a hundred dollars. This is completely up to the individual to decide whether or not this is a priority for you. It is not required for travel with us and we merely mention it here so as not to leave out any options for your medical concerns.
For more information on this topic, please check the following sites:

www.medexassist.com
www.internationalsos.com
www.specialtyrisk.com/travel_medical.htm

or simply do a search under “travel medical” for other options


MEDICAL SUPPLIES

Prescription Drugs
Some people choose to bring along several different kinds of medicines when traveling in Asia due to the fact that they may not be able to find such medicines locally should such illness occur. These include: a strong antibiotic to treat Traveler’s Diarrhea, anti-malarial meds(necessity depends upon area you will be traveling in), and altitude sickness meds. If you choose to do so, you should meet with your physician and ask him or her to write you a prescription for these meds to be used in emergencies.

Motion Sickness
If you are a person who has trouble with motion sickness, it may be a good idea to bring along some Dramamine or other necessary medicine to treat such illness, especially since many trips can include long car rides on very bumpy roads, not to mention a very long international flight.

Jetlag
You may want to consider using jetlag pills to help counter the effects of jetlag on this terribly long flight. These are homeopathic herbal pills used to help treat the symptoms of jetlag. I have used them several times & found them very helpful especially on the return trip from Asia to the United States. To learn more about this, do a search for “jet lag pills” and you will find many options available online.If you have any further questions or health concerns regarding your travel please do not hesitate to contact us and we will answer your questions directly. For more information on getting your Chinese visa or what to bring on your trip please click on these links.