What do we do?

AMS is preventable and treatable. Our body is a machine, it always gives signs when it is malfunctioning. All we need to do is to listen to our body and help, not hinder its process. Avoid the risk factors. By slow ascent, we can digest the altitude, the process is called acclimatization. Here, our body gets sufficient time to adjust to the high altitude. It is prudent to take a rest day every third day with the rate of ascent not more than 400 metes per day after the altitude of 3000 meters. Climb high and sleep low is another of the dictum of altitude medicine. Moderate exertion on rest day is also recommended. People acclimatizing well will have increased diuresis which helps prevent fluid accumulating in the body. The process of acclimatization can be accelerated by the use of a drug called acetazlamide ( diamox) taken at a dose of 250mg twice daily (5mg/kg for kids)