Hills Travel Tips: These days Chardham Yatra is going on in Uttarakhand, for which a large number of devotees are reaching from different parts of the country. The Amarnath Yatra is also going to take place in Jammu and Kashmir at the end of June. If you take the necessary precautions, you can enjoy the journey to the fullest by avoiding health problems during the difficult journey to the mountains.
Devotees coming from the plains are not used to traveling to the mountains, so they have to face many physical and mental problems. These include hypothermia (a rapid drop in body temperature in extreme cold) and problems caused by high altitude (high mountain places). This journey is more risky for heart patients.
High altitude problems
Lung and brain problems are more common during travel in high-altitude areas. The most common syndrome is acute mountain sickness, which usually begins within a few hours of ascent. Headache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and dizziness are the main symptoms. Decreased oxygen at high altitudes can lead to hypoxia. Bathing in cold river water should be avoided in low temperatures in the mountains. This can lead to hypothermia, which can lead to shivering, slurred speech, slow breathing, and confusion. Hypothermia can lead to heart attack, respiratory failure, and even death.
what to do in hypothermia
Apply the hot and dry compress on the neck, chest, or groin. Do not place hot water or a hot water bag on the body.
Protect the person from wind, especially around the neck and head.
Wear warm clothes. Cover the blanket
If using a hot water bottle or chemical hot pack, wrap it in a towel first. Give the person a hot and sweet drink to drink.
Do not heat the body with a heating lamp or hot water bath. Do not attempt to heat the hands and feet as well. Because heating or massaging one's limbs in this condition can put pressure on the heart and lungs.
Precautions during travel
Hydration (plenty of water intake), adequate nutrition, woolen clothing and multiple layers of clothing, slow ascent, and plenty of rest can prevent hypothermia.
Consider taking a day trip to a higher altitude and then returning to a lower altitude to sleep.
Acetazolamide is used for both prevention and treatment during high altitude sickness.
Apart from this, aspirin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen are also useful medicines. However, they should be used only after consulting a doctor.
Women, the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing conditions are at greater risk of hypothermia, hypoxia, and altitude sickness. Elderly, sick, or those who have been infected with Kovid, if possible, postpone your journey.
People of all ages must get their health check-ups done before starting the journey.
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