![]() ![]() Most did not find the coca tea that beneficial, but the one who chewed coca leaves pretty constantly seemed to have no symptoms. We climbed Taquile island the next day and it was very slow, but symptoms not necessarily worse. Breathlessness, headache, chills (for first few hours only), insomnia and lack of appetite were the usual symptoms for the group. 2 others called the doctor, but after oxygen and starting Diamox they were okay. Eventually we had to get the doctor who gave her a shot of something and then meds to take before meals for the nausea for several days. She started the Diamox in Puno but as she was sick shortly after, we couldn't tell whether she had it in her system. My roomie started feeling ill in Arequipa and in Puno was vomitting, bed ridden and somewhat dilerious. We were a group of 10 between age 30 and 67 and most of us had some symptoms in Puno. We were in Arequipa and then flew to Lake Titicaca before bussing to Cusco and MP. Severe cases may be complicated by breathlessness and chest tightness, which are signs of pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), or by confusion, lethargy, and unsteady gait, which indicate cerebral edema (brain swelling).Īltitude sickness may be prevented by taking acetazolamide 125 or 250 mg twice daily starting 24 hours before ascent and continuing for 48 hours after arrival at altitude. Symptoms of acute mountain sickness, the most common form of the disorder, may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, malaise, insomnia, and loss of appetite. The risk increases with faster ascents and higher altitudes. Those who have developed altitude sickness in the past are prone to future episodes. Being physically fit in no way lessens the risk of altitude sickness. Lots that do not have their trips ruined.Īltitude sickness may develop in travelers who ascend rapidly to altitudes greater than 2500 m, including those in previously excellent health. For your first nights at altitude, check your hotel has oxygen.īig deal I live at sea level ALWAYS take Diamox so no worries If affected badly, the only safe course of action is to descend to a safe level or, in extreme cases get to a hyparbaric chamber. ![]() On our Lares trek I did find that chewing coca leaves helped a lot and, to a lesser extent drinking coca tea also made a difference. ![]() I do think that Titicaca will be the biggest challenge for most people. Apart from one day on a hike around an island in Lake Titicaca my wife was unaffected. There is no way of predicting how one person may be affected (age/sex/fitness) seem to have no bearing. On balance, I would take mlgb's advice and move straight to the SV to acclimatise. Luckily we stayed for the first couple of nights in a hotel which had oxygen which rapidly alleviated the symptoms. In Peru/Argentina we were at altitude for a couple of months and really got aclimatised but the worst part was the arrival by plane in Cusco when the sudden change in altitude affected me quite badly (mainly a severe headache and insomnia). This was not too bad - just a bad headache and sore throat, both of which dissappeared as soon as we descended. The first time was in Borneo where we climbed Mount Kinabalu (c4300m).
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