High Altitude: Acclimatization and Illnesses

[kandisa]

....I was wondering, if you were feeling the effects at Sarchu, is there any advantage of spending an extra night there?....

Exactly the same question struck me when i started going to the Leh travel related threads. Actually people stay at Sarchu because there is not much of option. Keylong/Jispa to Leh is a log long drive (12-14 hours as veterans 've told) and the only stop-over points are Sarchu & Pang. Compared to Pang, Sarchu has better tents & also lower in altitude, so that is more favourable. But given a choice, if someone can carry on with the drive and make it to Leh in a single day, he 'll never prefer to stop at Sarchu.

 

[anupmathur]

.... Compared to Pang, Sarchu has better tents & also lower in altitude, so that is more favourable. .....

And Sarchu is a good 2000 feet higher than the destination point Leh. A night at Sarchu, after a night at Manali, represents a 7000 ft. gain in altitude in a single day!

 

[rkarmshil]

Hi All,

I m flying to Leh on 19th. Diamox is the medicine which is recommended. Today i noticed that it is written that people allergic to sulpha should not take it. Apperantly, i m allergic to sulpha, and have a history of bad allergic reaction with it. What are my options?!

 

[kandisa]

And Sarchu is a good 2000 feet higher than the destination point Leh. A night at Sarchu, after a night at Manali, represents a 7000 ft. gain in altitude in a single day!

So is there any other alternative to avoid a stay at Sarchu apart from making a continuous run from Keylong/Jispa to Leh? Also, does a night halt at Keylong or Jispa after a night at manali improve the situation a bit?

 

[animeher]

How can one find out whether he is allergic to sulpha? What is sulpha?

 

[rkarmshil]

How can one find out whether he is allergic to sulpha? What is sulpha?

There is a very comprehensive test to find out one's allergies. I found out that i m allergic to sulpha after taking tablets which contained it. I developed rashes all over my body. I dont know exaclty what is sulpha, my doc told i m allergic to it after doing some tests.

 

[kandisa]

...Apperantly, i m allergic to sulpha, and have a history of bad allergic reaction with it. What are my options?!

I remember someone in the forum talking about some alternative homoepath medicine, most probably Coca 6. But you need to confirm it from a doctor.

 

[hiambuj]

http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/general-discussions-f21/coca-preventive-medicine-ams-t5794/

Have replied to him on this on his own itinerary thread : http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/ladakh-zanskar-f24/my-first-leh-trip-need-help-t21460-4/#post283384

 

[classicrajat]

hi, just back from LEH, I have used the medicine Coca 6, a homeopathic medicine as i am allergic to sulpha.
We started taking the medicine 3 days prior to reaching leh.6~8 drops in interval of 4 hours.
We never felt anything abnormal in leh or K-top But also the other group (rajiv k bharat and party never took any kind of medicine ) were also fine.
I was the lone driver so was not in a position to take risk hence had medicine till we descended to sonmarg after 5-6 days of excursion.

 

[nsk11]

I have done many rides on higher elevations with out major AMS. I follow a simple procedure to overcome AMS.
1. Start taking low dosage of Diamox or similar prescribed by your Doctor 36 hrs before ascent. Don't wait till you hit by AMS start early to avoid it. This is not the only journey you take. Life long you are going to explore and travel. Most of AMS loses can't be reversed.
2. Drink more water water water and water. No carbonated and alcoholic drinks. One of my off road buddies always says " If you feel thirsty in outdoor, you are already dehydrated and if you don't leak very often you have not drank enough water". Invest in a good camel back ( camel back - ÈÍË Googleþ) or keep lot of water in your bag.
3. Eat healthy and more carbohydrates. Keep some food and munch them very often.
4. Be relax and calm, don't hurry.
5. Mountain passes are very scenic and beautiful. But don't spend more time there to take more photos.
6. Very important and many people already wrote about it. Climb high sleep low.




Don't quote me for following information. As no one has wrote about very different AMS fighting method used in other side of globe. In Latin America locals and travelers use a very unique substance ( it may be banned in many countries) to over come mighty Andes. It is Coca tea. It is brew of Coca leafs. Locals believe that coca tea helps them. I had a cup of it but I couldn't take it. Locals chew Coca leaf every where in Latin America.

Coca tea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrha-GPFN2o]YouTube - Hugo Chavez Consume Coca ALBA[/ame]
The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook Altitude Sickness

Take care and don't take AMS lightly.