Acute mountain sickness

arequipa
Acute mountain sickness is also known as altitude sickness or mountain sickness. This is due to the lack of adaptation of the body to hypoxia (deprivation of oxygen in the body or in a specific part) of altitude. It tends to affect smokers and people with heart problems much more. Around 5,000 m. high there is about half the oxygen that is breathed at sea level .

Over time the human body adapts to the altitude by increasing red blood cells. Some days of stopping on the road to get used to the changes are highly recommended. For example, a couple of days in Arequipa (Peru) at about 2,300 m. altitude, before continuing your journey to Cusco and the Inca Trail at 4,000 m. more height, they will be of great help for your body and will help you to have a better performance during the journey .

bolivia
Some of the most popular places where you can suffer from this problem without having to climb a mountain are: Peru, Bolivia, Mexico and Tibet. The symptoms can be divided into two stages :

– Stage 1 : dizziness, nausea, headaches, insomnia, shortness of breath, loss of appetite. Try to rest, eat well, and drink plenty of water. In a couple of days you will be fine. But if the symptoms continue you will go to …
– Stage 2 : dry cough, vomiting, confusion, loss of balance and coordination. Finally, pulmonary edema can occur. Keep hydrating and go down as soon as possible. Call your doctor for advice on taking a medication.