How to Treat High Altitude Sickness

1. Recognise the early signs. A headache with nausea, dizziness or tiredness is mild AMS. You may be the only one in your group who feels unwell. That’s normal, and you should not push on.
2. Stop going up. Never sleep higher while you have symptoms. Rest at the same altitude until you feel better.
3. Go down if it gets worse. If symptoms get worse at the same altitude, go down. Even 300 to 500 m makes a big difference.
4. Use medicine and oxygen. Mild symptoms can be eased with painkillers, plenty of water and oxygen. If they don’t help, see a doctor or go down.
5. Use oxygen sensibly. Oxygen relieves symptoms quickly. But if you feel only a little unwell in Lhasa, try to adjust naturally first. Your body needs to adapt before higher places such as Namtso (4,718 m) and Everest Base Camp (about 5,200 m).
6. Tell your guide. If you feel very unwell, cold or confused, tell your guide at once. Our guides carry oxygen and know the best clinic or hospital on every route.

• Drink plenty of water. The air is very dry, and dehydration makes altitude sickness worse.
• Eat light meals with plenty of carbohydrate (rice, noodles, bread) for energy.
• Avoid alcohol, especially in the first days.
• Keep warm. Don’t let yourself get cold after a shower in the first days.
• Use sunscreen, sunglasses and lip balm. The sun is very strong at altitude.

Medical note: this page is general information, not medical advice. All medicines can have side effects. Ask your doctor before you take any medicine for altitude sickness.