Acetazolamide such as diamox ® is a medication that can be used for altitude sickness when you do not have the opportunity to sleep in an altitude tent beforehand and in one of the situations listed below:
Situations when Acetazolamide can be used
- If you have had altitude sickness in the past, despite having followed all the advice.
- If you have a lung or heart problem, and then only in consultation with your doctor.
- If you have a direct flight directly to a height above 3000 meters.
- If, due to circumstances, you rise more than 500 meters a day during your expedition.`
Altitude sickness: where does it often occur?
Places with an airport at high altitude:
- Tibet: Lhasa (3749 m)
- Bolivia: La Paz (3444 m)
- Peru: Cusco (3000 m)
- Ecuador: Quito (2850 m)
If you have a direct flight to Lhasa or La Paz, the chance of altitude sickness is around 50%.
Other popular destinations at height:
- Kenya: Mount Kenya (5200 m)
- Tanzania: Kilimanjaro (5895 m)
- Peru: Machu Picchu (2500 m).
Advice when you still have altitude sickness
The main thing is that you realize that altitude sickness exists and that you certainly do not minimize it and that you take the necessary measures. A height tent in the weeks before your expedition gives the best chance of avoiding altitude sickness.
If an altitude chamber was not possible beforehand and you have early symptoms of altitude sickness, do not continue climbing and if necessary evaluate the symptoms with our altitude sickness assessment form. If you are travelling in a group, report this to your guide immediately. Climbers in groups are more likely than others to die from altitude sickness, probably due to group pressure. If you have real symptoms, do not sleep at high altitude, even if you are not suffering much. If it does not improve by resting, you should descend.
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