NEPAL
GENERAL INFORMATION
SAFTY
IN NEPAL
MEDICAL
MATTER & ADVICE
Trekking in Nepal
need not be considered risky affair
as far as your health is concerned.
Nevertheless, preventive measures such
as a thorough medical check up and innoculations
before you start trekking can save you
from unexpected hazards. Since the
remote places of Nepal are not supplied
with necessities that are essential
for modern medical facilities, and as
the rescue and evacuation are measured
in days, it is imperative to make a
comprehensive First Aid Box consisting
of basic drugs and accessories as part
of the paraphernalia for trekking. Various
trekking guide books and the pamphlet
published by the Himalayan Rescue Association
gives you detailed information on a
complete list of medical supplies or
contact to NEC Travels. These
guide books are easily available in
the book-shops of Kathmandu.
In case of serious illness or injury,
prompt evacuation to Kathmandu is the
best remedy. Modern dentristry is unknown
in the hills of Nepal, so it
is advised to have a checkup before
departure from home. Tooth fillings
sometimes loosen in cold temperatures
and at high altitudes, so it is recommended
to have them checked.
FITNESS
All trekking demands a level
of fitness that will enable one to put
a good day's walking, up hill and down.
Most treks should not be taken to gain
more than 500 metres in one day above
3,000 meters. There should be plenty
of time during the day to cover this
distance, so the physical exertion though
quite strenuous at times, is not sustained.
The best preparation for trekking is
cycling, swimming, jogging,
squash, tennish and long walks involving
up and down hill. Good physical conditioning
will probably help for the maximum enjoyment
of the treks.
HIGH
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Altitude
Sickness, often known as Acute Mountain
Sickness (AMS) is particularly a
important medical consideration while
trekking in Nepal. Altitude Sickness
means the effect of altitude on those
who ascend too rapidly to elevations
above 3,000 meters. The initial symptoms
of AMS are as following:
- Nausea, vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia/sleeplessness
- Persistent headache
- Dizziness, light
headedness, confusion,
- disorientation,
drunken gait
- Weakness, fatigue,
lassitude, heavy legs
- Slight swelling
of hands and face
- Breathlessness
and Breathing irregularity
- Reduced urine
output
These
symptoms are to be taken very seriously.
In case of appearance of any of the
above symptoms any further ascent should
be reconsidered; otherwise more serious
problems can occur which can even cause
death sometimes within a few hours,
the Only cure for the Altitude Sickness
is to descend to a lower elevations
immediately. Acclimatization by ascending
to no more than 300 to 500 meters per
day above 3,000 meters and the proper
amount of rest are the best methods
for prevention of AMS.
Literatures
and pamphlet published by Himalayan
Rescue Association consists of detailed
information on AMS. The Central Immigration
Office, NEC Travels and Different
agencies in Kathmandu distribute this
pamphlet free of cost. Since these documents
also give information on the list of
suggested medical supplies for trekking
it is a compulsory item for every trekkers'
medical kit.
