Altitude

Going to high altitude? Be ready with OXY99 oxygen cans. At high altitude, you will encounter low pressure and low oxygen that you will find difficult to cope with. On reaching at a high altitude destination like Nepal or Leh-Ladakh, you should reserve one day for acclimatization. Avoid making rapid ascend at high altitude. It is advised that you should avoid alcohol, smoking and sleeping pills.  Drinking 3-4 liter clean water is recommended.

If you feel unwell, you should assume that it is because of altitude sickness unless proven otherwise. If you start to suffer from mild symptoms of altitude sickness, you are advised to stay at the same altitude unless the symptoms clear away. If the symptoms persist, it is advised that you should descend. Altitude sickness is of three types—1.Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) 2. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) 3. High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).

Acute Mountain Sickness

Acute mountain sickness is the effect of altitude on those making ascend too rapidly to elevations of 3000m and above.  It is mainly caused by low oxygen, hypothermia and low pressure. While trekking in Nepal, it is recommended to stay aware of symptoms of acute mountain sickness.

Typical AMS symptoms include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia / sleeplessness
• Persistent headache
• Dizziness, light headache, confusion
• Disorientation, drunken gait
• Weakness, fatigue, lassitude, heavy legs
• Slight swelling of hands and face
• Breathlessness and breathing irregularly
• Reduced urine output

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)

High altitude pulmonary edema is also an altitude problem that is encountered by adventure tourists or mountain climbers. It is advisable to be aware of HAPE symptoms.

Typical HAPE symptoms include:

• Water in Lungs.
• Increasing shortness of breath even at rest
• Severe cough – Dry / productive
• Very tired unusual fatigue while walking
• High pulse rate, ie: 110
• Blueness of face, lip, fingernails – that means the inability of transporting oxygen into the blood.

HIGH ALTITUDE CEREBRAL EDEMA (HAPE)

High altitude cerebral edema is a severe altitude sickness that climbers are very wary of. While making ascend, you should keep an eye on HAPE symptoms.

Typical HAPE symptoms include:

• Water in the head :
• Severe headache
• Vomiting
• Walking like an intoxicated (ataxia)
• Mental confusion / altered mental status
• Irritable – does not want to be bothered by other people
• Unconsciousness or coma
• Test: tandem walking test, heel to toe step. Fall off from the line.

TREATMENT

Descent is the best remedy; please do not wait for the helicopter.

Medicines:

• Oxygen
• Diamox- for AMS- 125mg before dinner for sleeping problem if feeling suffocated.
• Nafedipine- for HAPE
• Steroids/Dexamethasone for ACE
• Hyperbolic bag- Gammow bag

FOUR GOLDEN RULES

• Awareness of Altitude problems
• Boost oxygen delivery
• Take precautions
• Keep essential medicines and first-aid

Start using OXY99 oxygen can! Leave your competition breathless.

OXY99 portable oxygen cans increase the oxygen levels in your body and increase your natural ability to build red blood cells. More oxygen delivery means more speed, endurance, and power. Protect  yourself from acute mountain sickness by use of oxy99canned oxygen .