What is High Altitude Sickness?

High Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), often occurs in the places at high elevation, and is a natural reaction by the body as it attempts to acclimate itself to the high altitudes, pressure differences, lack of oxygen, dry atmosphere and other changes. The occurrence of high altitude sickness is also dependent on the altitude, the ascent rate and individual physical condition.

Because Tibet is located at the Qingzang Plateau at an average altitude of more than 4000 meters  and lack of oxygen, high altitude sickness is the biggest health risk to tourists travelling to Tibet. Most tourists will experience differing degrees of symptoms in Tibet. When arriving at Lhasa on the first day, Some tourists just have very mild symptoms so that they can not feel and say that they do not get high altitude reaction.

Potala Palace in Lhasa

Common Symptoms of High Altitude Sickness

A. Headache or dizziness
B. Disturbed sleep
C. Loss of appetite or vomiting
D. Fatigue
E. Difficult breathing or shortness of breath
F. Feeling nausea
G. Restlessness
H. Chest distress
I. Somnolence
J. Abdominal distension
K. Numbness in limbs

Most travelers will experience one or more AMS symptoms upon their arrival in Tibet. The symptoms will decrease gradually during acclimatization.

If not being treated well, the mild high altitude sickness may cause severe altitude sickness, even threaten your life.

Severe High Altitude Sickness

A.High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) : weakness, shortness of breath, even at rest, impending suffocation at night, and a persistent productive cough with white, watery, or frothy fluid.

B.High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): headache, ataxia, weakness, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, coma and loss of memory.

Both can be fatal at daytime or at night! Immediate descent to low altitude is the surest treatment.