Doctors are warning that serious illness and even death can result from high altitude travel. Medical experts say that travellers and business people are often unknowingly putting themselves at risk because they fail to understand the dangers of altitude sickness.
The dangers are highlighted in a new booklet offering guidance to skiers, charity trekkers and even business travellers. Experts point out that visiting high places is now so easy that many people are simply unaware of the dangers.
‘We’re not just talking about climbing in the Himalayas these days,’ says Chris Smith, Medex member, altitude traveller and one of the editors. ‘Walking Peru’s Inca trail for charity, skiing high in the USA and Europe or cycling in Tibet all pose dangers.’
‘Most people know about malaria and traveller’s diarrhoea but ask them about altitude sickness and they haven’t a clue.’
‘Even business travellers face problems. You can so easily hop on a plane to Mexico City, La Paz or Quito that many don’t realise they may experience severe headaches, extreme tiredness and sickness.’
The authors of ‘Travel at High Altitude’ point out that these symptoms should ring alarm bells immediately as they all indicate altitude sickness. They mean the body is suffering from oxygen starvation which may result in serious breathing problems, brain damage or even death.
They lay the blame partly on travel and trekking companies organising charity fundraising events for not putting sufficient emphasis on the dangers of altitude sickness. These trips, often done to a tight time scale and budget, mean people are going too high too fast.
‘People are now booking on charity climbs up Kilimanjaro at almost 20,000ft or perhaps a school trip to Everest base camp in Tibet at over 17,000ft without much thought. In reality, these are very serious undertakings,’ says Ms Smith. ‘You need to know which symptoms are just uncomfortable and which can kill you.’
Dr David Hillebrandt, Medical Advisor to the British Mountaineering Council and a contributor to the booklet, says: ‘This free booklet is gold-plated advice for anyone going above 2,500m or 8,000ft. It should save unnecessary deaths.’
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The experts’ top tips are:
? Travel more slowly and take rest days rather than drugs to cope with the altitude.
? Prepare well so you know what to expect. Your family doctor may not be an expert in this field.
? Question your travel company closely about acclimatisation.
? Be honest with yourself and your travelling companions. If you don’t feel well, say so and head for lower altitudes – fast.
? Keep the body hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
