Tibet Travel Tips: How to Avoid Altitude Sickness

The main cause of altitude sickness is the lack of oxygen. In high-altitude areas, the air is thin and the oxygen content in the atmosphere is reduced, which means altitude sickness is normal in Tibet. However, altitude sickness is not as horrible as you might think, otherwise, there wouldn't be steadily increasing tourists coming to Tibet every year. It’s expected that you can get something through this article.

How to Prevent from Altitude Sickness before Your Tibet Trip

Learn Some Knowledge about Altitude Sickness in Advance

Learn about the symptoms, precautions, and countermeasures of altitude sickness in advance. Know that altitude sickness may cause symptoms such as headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations, nausea, and vomiting. In this way, when your body reacts, you can accurately judge and take timely measures to avoid excessive tension.

Take a Flight to Enter Tibet Instead of Taking a Train

The train journey can more easily make you get exhaust because of the long ride. Additionally, the crowded and noisy surroundings usually lead to bad sleep, and hence you may not rest well, which means your health condition may not be good enough to keep away from altitude sickness. During your flight journey, you should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and try to minimize strenuous physical activities such as frequent walking, as these activities may increase the body's oxygen consumption.

Make Physical and Mental Preparations

Get a medical check-up before departure to make sure you don't have anemia, hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, and other diseases that are not suitable for Tibet trip. If you have a cold, please start your trip after you recover. Take medication a few days in advance to prevent altitude sickness. Prepare common medicines such as cold medicine, stomach medicine, and so on. Keep your body in good condition before departure, exercise regularly and get plenty of rest. More importantly, take your good vibes and don’t be worried.

How to Prevent from Altitude Sickness during Your Tibet Trip

Adapt to the High Altitude Step by Step

It’s suggested that you follow the the principle of gradual altitude when visiting Tibet. You can travel at low altitudes first, after a period of adaption, and then try higher altitudes. For example, Nyingchi and Lhasa are typical of low-altitude areas. In contrast, you’d better not regard Everest Base Camp as your first stop on your Tibet journey. Give your body some time to adjust to the new environment. In the first 1-2 days of your Tibet trip, you should strictly control the intensity of your activities. Just go for a walk instead of carrying out strenuous physical activities such as running and climbing.

Dine Properly to Stay Healthy

It is recommended to eat some fresh vegetables, fruits and easily digestible foods such as porridge and noodles, and avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, and eating foods that are too oily, spicy, and stimulating. Drinking plenty of water can help maintain the body's water balance. Moreover, try to choose formal restaurants for meals to ensure the safety of the food.

How to Deal with It When You Have Altitude Sickness

You should always pay attention to your own physical reactions. If you experience the symptoms of altitude sickness, you should immediately stop the activity, maintain adequate rest, and avoid physical exertion. Use a portable oxygen cylinder or oxygen bag to inhale oxygen in time, as well as take medications to alleviate altitude sickness, such as headache pills and anti-vomiting drugs. If the symptoms are severe, please notify your guide immediately, and you will be taken to the nearest hospital.

Honestly speaking, altitude sickness is not an obstacle to your Tibet trip, so just take it easy.