The breathtaking trek to Everest Base Campis one of the world’s most popular destinations and highest trekking routes.
As you embark on the EBC journey you will continuously ascend higher altitude regions switching accommodation stops and acclimatizing at crucial spots.
With an increase in altitude, you will experience the level of oxygen decreasing and witness the rough thin air blowing all over the region.
That’s why it’s risky in high-altitude regions as it invites more chances of suffering from altitude sickness.
You need to understand when to ascend, how much altitude to ascend every day, and when to descend to lower altitude stops to avoid the high risks of altitude sickness.
If you gain altitude rapidly and impulsively, you experience oxygen deprivation triggering and leading to altitude sickness.
You need to be aware of your health conditions and know beforehand about altitude sickness, its symptoms, and how to handle the elevational journey during the EBC trek.
Acknowledge the overall risk factors involved in the trek when you ascend to a higher region. Stay focused to experience a successful mountain journey comfortably and safely.
In this comprehensive guide, we will help you know about altitude sickness, symptoms, and how to handle them while embarking on the EBC trek.
EBC Trek Overview
Thousands of trekkers venture on this journey every year to experience iconic trails, unique Sherpa culture, breathtaking views, and Himalayan landscapes.
The Everest Base Camp Trek starts from the beautiful Khumbu village of Lukla nestled at an altitude of 2,800m (9,187ft) and reaches the highest point, Everest Base Camp (5,364m /17,598ft) under the foothills of the world’s highest mountains Mount Everest.
You can push yourself up to Kala Patthar (5,545m / 18,192ft) the best sunrise spot with picturesque mountain landscapes and a spectacular 360° panoramic view of ski-piercing snowcapped peaks.
Altitude Sickness and its Causes
Acute mountain sickness is an uncertain illness at high altitudes that can affect travelers, visitors, trekkers, hikers, and expeditioners, elevating from low region to high region. Altitudes are usually above 9,842 feet (3,000 meters).
In mountain regions, the oxygen molecules per breath are less, due to a reduction in air pressure and lower oxygen levels at high altitudes can cause altitude sickness.
As you think of ascending high altitude pacing quickly, the chance of you suffering from acute mountain sickness increases. It is essential to prevent altitude illness by ascending gradually and acclimatizing once every 3days.
After you reach over 3000m altitude, ascend very slowly around 300m to 500m every 24 hours to reduce risks of altitude sickness. These careful considerations will also support your sleeping cycle.
Some of the reasons that can trigger altitude sickness are:
- Physically unfit
- Suffering from any illness before.
- Ascending quickly.
- Unsynchronised breath with exertion.
- Continuing without acclimatizing at crucial accommodation stops.
- Consuming devil drugs, coffee, alcohol, or other intoxicant substances.
- Starting the trek from a low sea level to a high altitude level.
- Medical problems related to the heart, head, sinusitis, lungs and nervous system
Types of Altitude Sickness in the EBC Trek
There are three major types of altitude sickness you might suffer during the EBC trek.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Altitude sickness is caused when you are unable to adapt to lower oxygen availability higher up in the mountain regions. It’s a troubling situation where trekkers find it difficult to inhale oxygen per breath.
When ascending to high altitude region, the barometric pressure decreases resulting in fewer oxygen molecules per breath. This reduction in oxygen levels set off altitude sickness.
You need to realize after 3,000m above the air starts to get thinner so when elevating to a high altitude stopping ascending gradually and maintaining a slow pace is crucial.
Mild altitude sickness is common in EBC trek, without proper acclimatizing you will trigger this sickness easily.
Only ascend 300m-500m per day after reaching over 3000m altitude. Do not rush or push your limits every day just if you are feeling light and healthy the day before. Embrace the slow journey as it serves only a paramount experience.
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
HAPE is a life-threatening health situation affecting your lungs causing them to fill with fluid. It’s a medical emergency that demands immediate medical attention.
In the most extreme cases, it can cause death quickly compared to other forms of altitude sickness.
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
This altitude sickness causes your brain to swell with fluid as it alters the mental status and physiological effects of trekking to an elevated destination.
HACE is a severe condition that needs emergency care, a victim can fall into a coma or death if prolonged for too long.
Altitude Sickness Symptoms
Symptoms depend upon the way you ascend, where you rest, how you hike, the foods you consume, and your fluid intake.
Symptoms can affect your lungs, heart, muscles, and nervous system. Sometimes it can lead to hallucination, suffocation, and difficulty in breathing.
The situation depends on the range from mild to moderate to life-threatening severe conditions based upon your altitude location.
Some mild and moderate symptoms include:
- Headache
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeping difficulty
- Rapid heart pulse rate
- Shortness of breath with exertion
The chances of suffering from severe altitude sickness are quite rare while embarking on the EBC trek. In case you have an unfit medical condition or other issues like Anemia where visitors need to ascend carefully.
Some severe acute mountain sicknesses include:
- Coughing frequently with exertion
- Coughing up blood
- Hallucination
- Chest Congestion
- Ataxia (Clumsiness)
- Dyspnea
- Cyanosis (Blue color of the skin)
- Gray complexion
- Slurred speech
- Lessen consciousness
Risk Factors and Treatment Approach in EBC Trek
Your chances of suffering from altitude sickness increase if you stay unaware of your activities while hiking in the Everest region. The EBC trek is the highest trekking route in the world.
So, there are certain risk factors you need to consider beforehand as these factors only trigger altitude sickness.
- Alcohol Consumption
- Speed of Ascent
- Heart or Lung Problem
- History of Previous Altitude Sickness
- Difficulty Breathing with Exertion
- Ascending from Low Sea Level
Finding a suitable treatment approach is essential for your successful EBC trek.
Depending upon your awareness of the destination and your medical history you are eligible to plan favorable actions in case of any emergency or symptoms while embarking on this lifetime experience.
- Drink Enough Fluids
- Consume Meals High in Carbohydrates and Proteins
- Accommodation Stops and acclimatization
- Descend Quickly if Symptoms Prolonged
- Proper Medication
- Supplement of Oxygen
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Handling Altitude Sickness and Prevention Measure in EBC Trek
Altitude sickness is one of the greatest factors that can hinder your successful EBC journey. As the altitude keeps on increasing these factors are inevitable and need to be carefully examined.
Handling altitude sickness beforehand increases your chances of enjoying yourself fully in this majestic destination and ensures your health condition remains in check.
While embarking on the Everest Base Camp trek there are some prevention measures you need to consider.
Train Well in Advance
Your physical fitness is crucial for a successful journey. Prepare well by focusing on cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and stamina.
Know about your destination terrains and comfort. You need to train accordingly by focusing on hiking, running, swimming, and cycling thoroughly by preparing routines for a serene journey.
Gradual Ascent
Focus on elevating to higher altitudes during the daytime and sleeping in lower altitudes stops at night. Ascending gradually helps to stay healthy and maintains your overall physical condition without much exertion.
Rest Days
Acclimatization is crucial for a successful EBC trek. Focus on recovering your body and mind fully. Rest days focus on staying at a certain altitude after every 2/3 days continuous trek.
As you significantly hike toward a higher altitude region with reduced oxygen levels allow your body to adjust to the surrounding area so that it stays in proper health condition.
Balanced Diet
Consume nutritious foods with sufficient carbohydrates and proteins which helps to sustain your energy levels and support your body in preventing altitude sickness. A balanced diet is crucial as it supports acclimatization.
Avoid unnecessary foods and heavy meals that are difficult to digest and consume a lot of energy.
Slow and Steady Pace
Hiking steadily in high altitude regions directly helps to conserve your energy while pacing slowly supports your body to acclimatize properly.
This will significantly contribute to adjusting your heart rate per breath so avoid pacing quickly to avoid exertion.
Hydration
Focus on drinking plenty of water around 3-4L every day, with soup, and fluid to support your body performance. Carry a reusable water bottle, aqua tabs, and portable UV water purifier to refill during the trek.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and toxic substances resulting in dehydration.
Follow Altitudinal Rules
Follow the rule of “climb high, sleep low”. After reaching 3,000m (9,842 ft) altitude from sea level ascend only 300m-500m per day.
These prevention measures solely focus on your body to acclimatize without much pressure avoiding other symptoms.
Carry Essential Gear
Ensure you carry quality clothes with base, mid, and outer layers to protect yourself from cold, wind, and wet weather conditions.
Carry sleeping bags and breathable gear to withstand natural rough terrains, and pack smart according to unpredictable weather situations so that you do not suffer from altitude sickness.
Mental Health
Work on your mental health to withstand psychological effects. You must focus on building perseverance, strong determination, and mental resilience that supports your 12-14 days high altitude treks.
Learn breathing techniques, stretching, yoga, and meditation to aid mental stress, discomfort, fear and anxiety.
Seek Professional Medical Advice
Know in advance about your health, mental, and physical condition. Take advice from your medical doctor to follow up on your routine checkup before embarking on the EBC journey.
Take essential steps like seeking professional medical advice, knowing about travel insurance, carrying a satellite phone, and knowing about emergency plans and services availability beforehand.
Carry Preventive Medication
Ensure you carry any preventive medication and first aid kit in case of any uncertainties to prevent mild altitude sickness symptoms.
Carry medicines like acetazolamide (Diamox), dexamethasone, ibuprofen, and paracetamol to aid in preventing and managing altitude sickness.
Hire Experienced Guide
Inform the guide about your current health status every day, If you experience any difficulties in responding to altitude sickness symptoms inform in advance.
Hire a professional guide who understands the dangers of altitude sickness and is fully aware of its symptoms and precautions.
Conclusion
The EBC trek is the most beautiful trekking destination throughout the world. Despite its raw beauty and unpredictable weather, the trail is demandingly rough and challenging.
As you embark through the highest trekking routes it is crucial to carefully plan and be aware of altitude sickness.
Understand the symptoms, risk factors, prevention methods, and treatment so you can minimize the threats altitude sickness poses on the EBC trek. So, you can enjoy a safe, comfortable, and lifetime experience.
Listen to your body, mind, and professional guides you are traveling with, be aware of altitude sickness precautions, and don’t hesitate to be open when you have difficulties to continue moving forward.
