Tibet Travel Health: What Behaviors Will Cause Altitude Sickness after Arriving in Tibet?

Although no one can predict whether they will be affected by altitude sickness after arriving in Tibet, and no one can be completely immune to it, there are some related matters that we should know more about to help prevent it before it happens.

The following are some common triggers of altitude sickness that require more attention.

Rise Rapidly from Low-Altitude Areas to High-Altitude Areas

This situation usually occurs when taking a flight from a low-altitude area to a high-altitude area within a few hours. Due to the large altitude difference, the body needs some time to adapt, so altitude sickness is prone to occur. I suggest going to the hotel to rest immediately after getting off the plane to avoid fatigue. If conditions permit, you can choose to adapt to a mid-altitude area of one or two thousand meters for one or two days before setting off for Tibet. Or you can choose Nyingchi, which is beneficial to relieving altitude sickness, as the starting point of the Tibet journey.

Another situation is that during the journey, one does not follow the principle of step-by-step altitude increase and does not give their body any buffer space, leaping to scenic spots at an altitude of 4 to 5 thousand meters. This is exactly the reason why after arriving in Tibet, one cannot head straight to the Everest Base Camp or Mount Kailash, but should proceed step by step.

Having a Cold before or after Arriving in Tibet Increases the Risk of Altitude Sickness

Tourists who are catching a cold should wait until they have recovered before going to Lhasa. During the trip, they should always pay attention to keeping warm. Even if they feel warm during the day in summer, the temperature difference between day and night is large, so they need to add more clothes.

Not Getting a Good Rest before or after Arriving in Tibet Will Also Increase the Possibility of Suffering from Altitude Sickness

This is a point that many tourists tend to overlook. If physical fitness declines, the discomfort caused by the body will also become more obvious. So it is suggested that tourists visiting Lhasa for the first time should pay extra attention to this point, after all, they lack experience at high altitudes.

There Are High-Intensity Activities in the First Few Days after Arriving in Tibet

In the first few days after arriving in Tibet, it is necessary to maintain a slow pace. It's best to walk slowly, have a leisurely visit, and enjoy a relaxing and pleasant trip. Only plan sightseeing tours for yourself and avoid long-distance trekking trips. Otherwise, fatigue will also aggravate altitude sickness

Not Using an Oxygen Cylinder at All Can Also Aggravate Altitude Sickness

In a high-altitude environment, proper oxygen inhalation does not lead to oxygen dependence and only brings benefits and no harm to the body. When you notice obvious symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath, you should immediately inhale oxygen. Use low-flow oxygen inhalation for about 15 to 20 minutes and observe whether your symptoms ease in the next few hours. If the symptoms continue to worsen, it is necessary to consider descending to a low-altitude area. Seek medical attention promptly if necessary.

Dehydration Can Easily Cause Altitude Sickness

The air in plateau areas is extremely dry. To obtain more oxygen, everyone's breathing rate increases. As a result, the body consumes water at a particularly fast rate. When you come to the highest plateau in the world, you need to drink twice as much water as you do in the plain area. 2 to 4 liters of water is best for your health. It is advisable to give priority to drinking warm boiled water as it can be absorbed by the human body more quickly. Beverages containing caffeine and alcoholic drinks should only be consumed in moderation at most; otherwise, they are not good for the adaptation.

It Is Not Recommended to Wash Your Hair or Take a Bath in the First Two Days after Arriving in Tibet

Both washing hair and taking a bath can easily lead to an increase in oxygen consumption. At this time, good health is far more important than maintaining a decent appearance. After you feel that you have fully adapted to the environment, you can take a bath and wash your hair. However, it is important to note that the duration should not be too long and the water temperature should not be too high.

Conclusion

If you have friends or family members who are planning to visit Tibet, please share this article with them as well.