High Altitude Sickness in Tibet

Extremely high elevations such as those encountered on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau may present unique problems to people who are not accustomed to these high altitudes. Fortunately, the following are some tips to prevent or at least alleviate the uncomfortable feelings caused by altitude sickness.

What is altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness is a natural physiological reaction caused by people's body to adapt to the changes of air pressure difference, low oxygen content and dry air caused by altitude. When the altitude reaches about 2,700 meters, people may get altitude sickness.

Whether altitude sickness occurs or not is a normal reaction. Altitude sickness may be encountered by everyone, which can not only make people very uncomfortable, but also cause severe pulmonary edema. People with special diseases such as hypertension and heart disease are not recommended to go to the high-altitude places. Healthy people can go to the plateau areas. And please note that people got a fever or a cold are not recommended to visit the plateau areas.

Preparations of Entering Tibet

Phisical Examination

A physical examination before the trip is necessary as people with heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, serious anemia, and other cardio and respiratory problems should not travel in the extreme altitudes encountered Tibet. Even if you do not believe that you have a health problem, the sudden change to a high altitude possibly make a latent one apparent. We strongly suggest that you had better take proper precautions. It is best to ask your doctor to advise you about precautions you can take and items to bring along on your trip that may assist you to adjust to the climate and altitude. It is also a good idea to pack some commonly used over-the-counter medicines, such as those used for cold, inflammation, insect bite, and sunstroke. But, even with these OTC items, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that the brands are safe in very high altitude environments.

Planning in Advance

Work out a reasonable itinerary. It is a favorable choice to travel from relatively low elevation to get used to the attitude step by step. For example, you can travel firstly in Nyingchi Region, the average elevation of which is about 2,900 meters, then to higher places. It is better to travel by plane than by road or by railway. The latter ways will not help adapt tourists gradually to the plateau, but rather make tourists too tired to adapt.

Keep Optimistic

Don't be afraid of altitude sickness. Before entering Tibet, it is an essential method to keep a happy mood and get enough rest.

About Exercise

Don't exercise deliberately before you go to Tibet. If you insist on exercising, you’d better stop exercising half a month before entering Tibet to avoid increasing oxygen consumption and increasing the burden on your heart, which may easily lead to altitude sickness.

Altitudes of the main regions in Tibet

Cities or Counties	Altitude (m. / ft.)
Tsetang	3,500 / 11, 483
Lhasa	3,650 / 11, 975
Shigatse	3,836 / 12, 585
Gyangtse	4,040 / 13, 255
Dingri	4,300 / 14, 108
Nyingchi	3,000 / 9, 843
Chamdo	3,240 / 10, 630
Purang	3,700 / 12, 139
Damxung	4,200 /13, 780
Pagri	4,300 / 14, 108
Nakchu	4,507 / 14, 787
Amdo	4,800 / 15, 748

Arriving in Tibet

Pay Continuous Attention to Your Body

Your first day in Tibet

The first day in Tibet is very important. It is best to avoid catching a cold, so it is generally not recommended to take a bath that day. If you have to take a bath, you must dry your hair.

Sleep on the first night is also very important. Take good rest after your arrival. People cannot feel altitude sickness until several hours after the arrival. If you are too excited in the first hours, you will suffer a lot when it comes. Do not eat too much. Your stomach may not work as well as it does on the plain. Besides, do not drink alcohol.

Some high reactions don't happen immediately, and they may react at night or the next day. Therefore, after entering Tibet, we must slow down and never run.

Try to not catch a cold. On the plateau, a cold can easily turn into dangerous high altitude illness. Wearing warm and enough clothes for the plateau is usually extremely cold. Do not take showers or bathes too frequently especially on your first night in Tibet. This will help you avoid catching severe colds.

Your Diet and Mood

Please keep a good mood and be optimistic all times. Fight your fear of altitude sickness. When you overcome it, it will do you no harm. Generally speaking, this process takes 2-4 days or a little longer depends on individuals.

Your high altitude diet should consist primarily of foods that are easy to digest, such as light soups, cereals, noodles, fruits and cooked vegetables. This is one time when sugar in your diet is a plus as a source of energy, especially brown sugar which works well to relieve altitude sickness. Moreover, avoiding cigarettes, cigars and alcohol is very important.

Altitude Sickness in Tibet

When altitude sickness comes, do not be panic. The symptoms of Altitude Sickness are headache, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nausea, disturbed sleep, and a general feeling of malaise. Symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after arrival at altitude and begin to decrease in severity about the third day.

You can just sleep or take medicines following the doctor's advice. Tibetan doctors know too well procedures for curing it. Do not depend on inbreathing pure oxygen. It will only slow your adaptation process.

Finally, some experts suggest that children younger than 10 years old should not travel to Tibet. Their lower immune resistance slows recovery from altitude sickness and the altitude can adversely affect their normal growth. Again, always check with your family physician about your decisions before your trip.