Altitude Sickness on Annapurna Circuit Trekking
Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), happens when your body cannot adapt to the environment of high altitude. The Annapurna Circuit trekking ascends from the lower elevation of 800 meters to the highest elevation of 5,416 meters (17,769 ft). When you run or ascend quickly in the higher altitude, which leads to altitude sickness.
Altitude sickness symptoms can range from mild to severe; mild symptoms include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and loss of appetite; and severe symptoms include severe headaches, continuous nausea, loss of coordination, shortness of breath, and confusion. These symptoms can lead to high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), which are life-threatening and require medical attention.
You should recognize the symptoms of altitude sickness to make sure you trek safely and successfully on the Annapurna Circuit Trek.
How difficult is the Annapurna Circuit Trek?
The Annapurna Circuit Trek is well known for its natural beauty and great adventure. This trek spans from 160 to 230 km (100 to 145 miles), which takes 15 to 21 days to complete with the daily walking hours of 6 to 7 hours, depending upon your walking speed and route. The difficulty of the Annapurna Circuit Trek can be due to several factors, including:
Elevation
Talking about the elevation, there is the highest point at Annapurna Circuit Trek, which is at a height of 5,416 meters (17,769 ft), named Thorong La Pass, renowned as the world’s highest pass. This trek starts at a lower elevation of 800 meters, and on average, each day we gain 600 to 700 meters.
After you gain a certain elevation above 3000 meters, there is a chance of altitude sickness, but with good preparation, you can conquer this trek and get to witness the mesmerizing beauty all around you during the trek.
Terrain
The Annapurna Circuit trek offers lush subtropical forests and rugged terrain, making the difficulty of the trek moderate to challenging. This trekking trail encloses a variety of terrains, dramatic landscapes, rocky hills, steep ascents and descends, and narrow trails. You should look after your physical fitness and stamina, which are required for conquering the terrain with less difficulty.
Weather
The Annapurna Circuit’s weather is unpredictable at higher altitudes due to extreme cold, strong winds, and snowfall, especially during the winter season. Due to unpredictable and bad weather, it is challenging to conquer this trek, mainly during the monsoon and winter, as the trekking trails can be muddy, slippery, and difficult to navigate. Whereas the autumn and spring seasons are the best to trek with stable temperatures and clear weather.
Duration
As this Annapurna Circuit trek is a long trek, due to the trek's length, trekkers have to deal with the 6 to 7 hours of walking every day, which can be mentally and physically draining for you. For this, you should acclimatize properly, and a different itinerary, including resting days, can be picked before trekking.
Basic Facilities
Along the way, although there are teahouses and lodges, especially at the higher altitudes, accommodations may be inadequate. You should be ready for basic living situations and limited access to medical care or facilities.
Risk Factors of Altitude Sickness on the Annapurna Circuit
There are many risk factors for altitude sickness on Annapurna Circuit, so you should understand these risk factors, which is very important for you to plan the trek to Annapurna Circuit.
Rapid Ascent
If you ascend too quickly, it can be the primary risk factor for altitude sickness. Your body needs time to adjust and adapt to the decreasing oxygen levels of the environment, and ascending rapidly can lead to altitude sickness, so you should acclimatize properly.
Lack of acclimatization
You should separate enough time for acclimatization; if you don’t, it increases the chance of altitude sickness. You should integrate some acclimatization days into your itinerary to help your body adapt.
Dehydration
Dehydration may make the symptoms of altitude sickness more difficult. You should stay physically active, and the dry mountain air increases the body's need for water, so staying hydrated is necessary.
Physical Exertion
You should not physically exert yourself in the early days of the trek because it can cause altitude sickness. So you should walk at a pace and take regular breaks without ascending continuously.
Previous medical conditions
It is not recommended to go on a trek with certain medical conditions, such as respiratory or cardiovascular issues or diseases, which have a higher risk of altitude sickness. It is important to consult with the healthcare provider before going on the trek.
Alcohol and smoking
It is not suggested that you drink alcohol or smoke because your body cannot acclimate properly to high elevations, and that’s why you should avoid these during the trek.
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness During the Annapurna Circuit Trek
You should recognize the symptoms of altitude sickness, which is very necessary for effective management and prevention of serious problems with altitude sickness. Symptoms can be categorized into mild, moderate, and severe stages; they are:
Mild Symptoms
Headache is the most common sign of early signs of altitude sickness. A feeling of nausea or vomiting can occur due to the changes in altitude. A sense of dizziness is common as your body finds it difficult to adapt to the higher altitude. You feel unusual fatigue, weakness, difficulty, and disturbance while sleeping.
Moderate Symptoms
An intense headache and continuous nausea and vomiting make it difficult for you to come back to normal. It will be difficult to breathe even when you are not physically exerting yourself, which shows a more serious level of altitude sickness. You will feel difficulty in balance and coordination while walking.
Severe Symptoms
Finding difficulty in clear thinking and confusion, which can make decision-making tough. The signs of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), a severe form of altitude sickness that affects the lungs, You find difficulty in mobility and coordination, leading to a fall. You will lose your consciousness, a critical situation that might require medical evacuation.
High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
A severe type of altitude sickness known as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is brought on by fluid retention in the lungs as a result of exposure to high altitudes, which restricts oxygen exchange and seriously damages respiratory health. HAPE generally occurs at elevations over 2,500 meters (8,200 feet). It can occur quickly, especially when the ascent occurs too quickly if there is not enough rest for acclimatization.
The symptoms of HAPE are a struggle to breathe, a continuous cough, a heavy chest, extreme tiredness and weakness, bluish discoloration of the lips and fingernails due to a low level of oxygen in your body, slow mental function, and irritability.
If you feel something is wrong with your body, immediately tell your guide or whoever is with you. You should descend as soon as possible to a lower altitude. Temporary relief can be obtained with an oxygen supplement and some medications that help reduce pulmonary artery pressure.
High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)
High-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is a very serious illness that results from high-altitude-induced brain swelling caused by fluid leaks through the walls of capillary vessels. This usually occurs above 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) in elevation. HACE may worsen quickly if treatment is delayed.
The symptoms of HACE are a severe headache that does not respond to standard painkillers, difficulty walking, hallucinations, irritating behavior, extreme fatigue, continuous nausea and vomiting, and seizures that may occur in extreme cases.
If you feel any of these symptoms, immediately inform your guide or the person near you. It is very important to descend rapidly to the lower altitude, supplement oxygen to stabilize the situation, take some medications to reduce the critical situation, and perform helicopter evacuation for advanced medical care.
Annapurna Circuit Trek Difficulty Preventions
It is necessary to avoid altitude sickness, reduce the Annapurna Circuit Trek difficulty, and enhance the experience of the Trek. You can conquer this trek, and for that, you should prepare for altitude sickness on the Annapurna Circuit Trek properly with proper acclimatization, hydration, and physical preparation. Let’s discuss more about this.
Training and Fitness
You should improve your cardiovascular fitness and endurance through regular exercise, such as hiking, running, swimming, cycling, and strength training. You should be physically prepared for an unstoppable trek and enjoy it the most.
Gradual ascent and acclimatization
You should plan your itinerary so you can include acclimatization days, particularly after the elevation above 3000 meters. You should follow the trekking principle, “Climb high, sleep low." You should ascend slowly and gradually but sleep at lower elevations to give your body time to adapt at higher altitudes.
Nutrition and Hydration
You should maintain a balanced diet that provides all the proper nutrients for your body and you should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. If you stay hydrated and eat nutritious food, it provides you with the necessary energy for trekking, adapting your body, and acclimatizing effectively.
Mental Preparation
Before going on any trek, you should be mentally prepared, as mental preparation is as important as physical preparation. You should be prepared for any obstacles and challenging conditions. You should go on a trek with a positive mindset, which will help you overcome the difficulties.
Proper Gears
You should pack lightly, which includes light and warm jackets, layered clothes, sturdy hiking boots, trekking poles, UV protection, etc. You should be prepared with the best packing gear during Annapurna Circuit Trek, which will help you cope with varying weather conditions and trekking difficulties and maintain ease throughout the trek.
Avoid alcohol, smoking, and caffeine.
You should not drink caffeine or alcohol during the trek, especially at higher altitudes, and also avoid smoking cigarettes, as it dehydrates your body and harms its ability to acclimate. So it is suggested not to take alcohol, smoke, or caffeine-related drinks on your trekking days.
Garlic Soup
Garlic soup is believed to be a remedy that helps to minimize altitude sickness. It is a traditional remedy known as an anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting soup that also helps in good blood circulation in our body and increases oxygen flow, which is essential while trekking at high altitudes. You should drink garlic soup, which helps you with symptoms like headaches and nausea, to provide hydration while maintaining the energy level of your body.
Pre-Medical Checkup and Medication
Before going on any trek, you should go for a checkup or consult with your healthcare provider about your health condition regarding your pre-existing health-related diseases, especially pneumonia and cardiovascular diseases, which may affect you during the trek at higher altitudes. You should also consult with your healthcare provider before taking any altitude sickness medications.
Pay attention to your body
You should be attentive while trekking and listen to your body regarding how it responds to the ascending altitude. If you feel any symptoms of altitude sickness and do not feel better, it is good to descend to the lower altitude. Do not ignore your problems; take care of your body; and give your body a proper rest.
Emergency Plan
You can make an emergency plan during your trek; carrying supplemental oxygen is advisable for emergencies. If your altitude sickness gets worse, a helicopter evacuation and medication can be done, so it is suggested to get travel insurance before coming to Nepal.
What Happens If I Get Severe Altitude Sickness on the Annapurna Circuit?
If you feel any mild or moderate symptoms of altitude sickness, then it can be cured by taking proper rest and ascending to a lower altitude. There are few chances of getting mild symptoms during the Annapurna Circuit Trek, as we only gain an elevation of 500 to 700 meters in a day, but moderate to severe altitude sickness symptoms can be seen during Everest Base Camp trekking.
In cases of severe altitude sickness, such as HAPE and HACE, it is a medical emergency that requires immediate actions such as:
Recognize severe symptoms
You should recognize symptoms like breathing shortness, inability to walk, loss of consciousness, fluid buildup in the lungs, and swelling of the brain. First of all, you should tell your guide or your friend if you feel any symptoms.
Descend immediately and seek medical help
It is suggested to descend to the lower altitude as soon as possible, as this is the most effective way to treat severe altitude sickness. You should descend by at least 500–1,000 meters (1,640–3,280 feet), which can ultimately help you to improve the symptoms.
You should look after the medical facilities along the route of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. In cases of severe sickness, you should talk to your guide or friend and ask for help to descend and medical help. It is necessary to ask for medical help as soon as symptoms appear, which can prevent the condition from worsening.
Supplemental Oxygen
You should carry supplemental oxygen, which helps you to provide temporary relief from severe symptoms and stabilize your condition until you can descend to a lower altitude.
Emergency Evacuation
You should make sure that you have travel insurance, which helps you cover high-altitude trekking, emergency evacuation, and high-altitude medical conditions for proper medical help. In the case of extreme or severe altitude sickness, emergency helicopter evacuation is required.
Having travel insurance is important as the Annapurna Circuit Trek's rugged terrain and difficult landscapes make it difficult to evacuate properly, so helicopter evacuation can be done at that time. Helicopter evacuation is a bit expensive; it may cost thousands of dollars, but it is the most effective way of moving a sick person quickly to a lower elevation. You should have an insurance policy, and you should always carry your insurance details and emergency contacts.
Conclusion
The Annapurna Circuit Trek journey is an exciting journey full of adventure and thrill, and after completion of this trek, you feel like you have got a reward for conquering the trek as the world’s highest pass at an elevation of 5,416 meters lies along the route. There are chances of altitude sickness on Annapurna Circuit trekking for some trekkers, so you should be completely prepared before and during the trek.
There are few chances of having mild symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) during Annapurna Circuit Trek like dizziness, headache, and vomiting, and it is very rare to have severe symptoms of altitude sickness during Annapurna Circuit Trek such as high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). You need to detect your symptoms at an early stage so they can be cured as soon as possible. Inform your guide or other trekkers about your problem, and descend 500 to 1000 meters to the lower altitude quickly.
For your medical care and emergency evacuation, you should have travel insurance so that you can have good peace of mind during your trek. Above are the tips and preparation for the Annapurna Circuit Trek difficulty prevention. With proper gear and preparation, you can achieve the feeling of conquering on this trek and enjoy the beauty of the mesmerizing Himalayas.
Happy and safe trekking!
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