The dangers of high-altitude sickness

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

A trekker from Idukki, Kerala, died in Uttarakhand’s Garur Peak due to respiratory failure in September. Every year, numerous tourists like this succumb to the effects of high-altitude sickness in the Himalayas.

High-altitude sickness:

High-altitude sickness, or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a condition caused by the body’s inability to adapt to reduced oxygen levels at elevations above 8,000 feet (2,400 m).
Symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
If left untreated, it can escalate into:
- High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): Fluid accumulates in the lungs, worsening breathing difficulties.
- High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): Fluid collects in the brain, causing confusion, hallucinations, and potentially coma.
Treatment typically involves descent to lower altitudes, supplemental oxygen, and medications like Acetazolamide or Dexamethasone.

Body’s response to High Altitudes:

Decreasing air pressure and oxygen levels at high altitudes lead to hypoxia, a shortage of oxygen in body tissues.
The body tries to adjust to low oxygen levels by increasing the breathing rate, which may cause hyperventilation. Also, the body produces more red blood cells to carry oxygen, thickening the blood and straining the heart.

Infrastructural challenges in Himalayan states:

Most Himalayan regions lack advanced medical facilities for high-altitude ailments.
Leh is a model with specialized infrastructure, but areas like Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti remain underserved.
A registration system for tourists entering remote mountain areas could improve monitoring and emergency response.