Understanding Acute Mountain Sickness and Mountain Manners!
In case you wish to hire the services of the Nanda Devi Adventure and Outdoor
Education Institute, PLEASE NOTE:-
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We play by the book.
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We strongly advise you to carefully read and understand the consequences of
the Acute Mountain
Sickness.
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In case you are a first timer/pilgrim going to a high altitude
destination (e.g. Gaumukh –Tapovan, Kedarnath & Hemkund Sahib etc) you
should know that usually 9-10 k feet above mean sea level, specially
going above the tree line you might suffer from the Acute Mountain
Sickness. This usually happens when you rapidly gain height.
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You are at higher risk for acute mountain sickness if you live near the
sea level altitude and have not acclimatized properly by staying at 9-10
k ft altitude, alcohol and other substance abuse, anemic or have medical
problems involving heart, nervous system, lungs etc.
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Mild to moderate acute mountain sickness symptoms may include;
difficulty in sleeping, dizziness, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite,
nausea, rapid pulse/heart rate, shortness of breath.
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Severe acute mountain sickness may progress to high altitude pulmonary edema or high altitude cerebral edema. The symptoms of
severe mountain sickness includes skin turning blue (cyanosis),chest congestion, coughing blood,
decreased consciousness, inability to walk in straight line etc.
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Acute Mountain Sickness can be treated easily by rapidly descending down
to lower altitudes. The thumb rule is that you should not gain further
height and return to lower altitude immediately if you develop symptoms
of acute mountain sickness.
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It doesn’t matter if you are a marathon runner, fitness freak or
sculpted by a gym trainer, your physical prowess is not a license to
skip the acclimatization process.
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Every year a significant number of visitors to Gaumukh- Tapovan and
other trekking destinations do suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness
resulting in mild to severe health complications. If not attended
immediately the implications could be permanent.
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Acute Mountain Sickness may impact anyone from middle aged, senior
citizens and even youngsters who are lured by some aggregators through
tight airport to airport itineraries and herded in large volumes without
any consideration to either acclimatization or diverse range of the
physical strength of group members. Unfortunately there are no
scientific studies to assess the health implications on visitors
resulting from the high volume zipped itineraries presently popular
online.
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You can also ask your doctor to prescribe the specific medicine widely
used for acclimatization purpose. Do read carefully about its usage and
side effects.
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We strongly advice you not to impose your itinerary on mountains! The micro
climate in the upper reaches sometimes turns dramatically and the elements of
climate change further contribute negatively in these scenarios. Remember there
is always a next time.
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In case of red alert issued by the District Disaster Management Authority, the entry gates
of the Gangotri National Park are closed for the alert period. Your permit for
that duration stands cancelled and there is no provision of refund. Same applies
to the payment for guide fee. You are supposed to reapply for entry permits.
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The aforementioned information is for the general awareness of the visitors.
Trekking to high altitude destinations is not a hazardous activity if proper
acclimatization and related mountain manners are followed.
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In case you are choosing Nanda Devi Adventure and Outdoor Education Institute,
please note the decision of our guide shall be final in case of any weather or
health related emergency. And that you agree to abide by it.
गौमुख - तपोवन तीर्थ यात्री ध्यान दें !
पहली बार समुद्र तल से 10000 फुट से भी ज्यादा ऊंचाई तक जाने वाले व्यक्ति ऊंचाई की
बीमारी (Acute Mountain Sickness) से ग्रसित हो सकते हैं। यह मुख्यतः अपेक्षाकृत
अधिक तेज़ी से ऊंचाई की दिशा में बढ़ने के कारण होती है। ह्रदय, स्नायु/ स्वासरोग, रक्तहीनता
से पीड़ित एवं नशे के आदि व्यक्तियों पर इसका प्रभाव होने की सम्भावना अधिक होती है।
इससे बचने का सटीक तरीका यही है कि अधिक ऊंचाई पर जाने से पूर्व अपने शरीर ऊंचाई की जलवायु
के अनुरूप अभ्यस्त बनाने (Acclimatize) के लिए 9 -10 हज़ार की ऊंचाई वाले स्थलों पर समय
बिताएं। ऊंचाई की बीमारी (Acute Mountain Sickness) शिकार कोई भी हो सकता है भले ही वह
शारीरिक दृष्टि से अपने को महाबली समझता हो। इसका सरल इलाज़ है यही है कि ऊंचाई वाले क्षेत्र
से तुरंत निम्न ऊंचाई वाले क्षेत्र को प्रस्थान करें। बड़े समूहों में एकसाथ तेज़ चलने की
प्रवर्ति कुछ सदस्यों के लिए हानिकारक भी हो सकती है। इसका प्रभाव हल्के से लेकर प्राण घातक
तक हो सकता है।
इसके लक्षण नींद न आना, चक्कर, उल्टी, अत्यधिक थकान, सीधा न चल पाना, स्थितिभ्रान्ति
(disorient) आदि से लेकर त्वचा का नीला पड़ना, दिमाग में सूजन व फेफड़ों में द्रव्य भर जाने से सांस उखड़ने की
प्राणघाति स्थिति तक सकते हैं और इसका शरीर पर प्रभाव स्थायी भी हो सकता है।
सबसे महत्वपूर्ण यह है कि हिमालय का सम्मान करना सीखें, अपना यात्रा कार्यक्रम हिमालय पर
थोपने से बचें। बिना अनुभवी गाइड के तीर्थयात्रा न करें। यही गंगोत्री - तपोवन हेतु परमिट
प्राप्त करने का नियम भी है। परमिट की नियमावली को ध्यान से पढ़ें। आपकी यात्रा सफल एवं सुखद
होनी चाहिए।
For details: call: 9720633999, email: ndi.kuflon@gmail.com
Designing and critical content inputs by Dr. Sunil Kainthola
