Altitude Sickness in Tibet

A land with an elevation of more than threebreathing difficulty. These symptoms result from
thousand meters is defined by scientists as a plateau.oxygen deficit. You may suffer from a series of
The climate of a plateau differs greatly from thedisorder, such as a headache, muscle ache or
climate of a plain. The former features low oxygeninsomnia. Take it easy. It doesn't mean that you
pressure, oxygen shortage, and high radiation.cannot be adapted to the plateau climate. The
When you enter such an environment, your bodydisorder is a normal reaction. If you are well-informed
needs an important adjustment to be accustomed.about how to correctly protect yourself, you will get
Therefore, you must be well-prepared in differentrid of the discomfort in a day or two.
aspects against possible acute high altitude sickness.Remember not to walk too fast, run or do physical
Before you undertake such a trip, you need awork, when you arrive there the first time. It will be
whole-body physical examination. Do not ignore thebest for you to have a complete rest for half a day.
potential risk and go to Tibet if you have someOn the first night of your stay, sleep earlier than
trouble in your heart, lung, brain, liver, or kidney, or ifbefore to get enough rest. Efficient sleep can
you suffer from severe hypertension, heart disease,strengthen your body. Some visitors, who felt fairly
or anemia. If you have mild breathing problems, youwell and comfortable when they landed, assumed
can go there, but it would be a better idea to takethere was no such thing as altitude sickness. They
oxygen along with you.ignored the suggestions given by their guides and did
Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet Autonomous Region,whatever they liked instead of taking a rest.
has an elevation of 3600 meters, where oxygenEventually they suffered from serious altitude
content of air is only 70 percent of that in plains andsickness. Thus, you need to follow your guides'
atmospheric pressure is low. When you get there,suggestions.
you may feel chest distress, short of breath, or