Prevention and Response Guide for Altitude Sickness (Applicable to High-Altitude Areas such as Tibet and Jiuzhaigou)

I. Common Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness, AMS) is caused by the body's adaptation difficulties due to thin air at high altitudes. Common symptoms include: - Mild Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, shortness of breath. - Moderate to Severe Symptoms: Severe headache, vomiting, confusion, unsteady gait, persistent coughing (possibly accompanied by pink frothy sputum), difficulty breathing.

II. Pre-Trip Preparation: Reducing the Risk of Altitude Sickness

1. Health Assessment
2. Conduct a physical examination 1-2 weeks before departure to ensure normal heart and lung function, no severe anemia, hypertension, heart disease, or respiratory conditions.

3. Pregnant women, children, and those over 65 years old should carefully assess risks.

4. Adaptation Training

5. Perform aerobic exercises (such as jogging, swimming) 1-2 weeks in advance to enhance cardiovascular fitness.

6. Avoid staying up late or overworking before departure.

7. Psychological Preparation

8. Maintain a relaxed mindset; avoid anxiety that may exacerbate altitude sickness.

9. Medication Preparation (Doctor’s Guidance Required)

10. Rhodiola Rosea: Start taking it 7-10 days in advance (capsules or as tea), which may help improve oxygen tolerance.
11. Acetazolamide (Diamox): Requires a prescription, used to prevent and treat mild altitude sickness.
12. Other Backup Medications: Ibuprofen (for headaches), Montmorillonite Powder (for diarrhea), glucose oral solution (for quick energy replenishment).

III. Adaptation Strategies Upon Arrival at High-Altitude Areas

1. Initial Adaptation (First 24-48 Hours After Arrival)
2. Avoid Strenuous Activities: Rest quietly on the day of arrival, minimize walking and climbing.
3. Stay Warm: High-altitude areas have large temperature differences between day and night; wear windproof and warm clothing.
4. Dietary Recommendations: Eat small, frequent meals, choosing easily digestible high-carbohydrate foods (like porridge, noodles), avoiding greasy or overly filling meals.

5. Hydration: Drink 2-3 liters of water daily, but avoid excessive amounts (which could lead to hyponatremia).

6. Oxygen Supplement

7. Hotels or scenic spots usually provide portable oxygen bottles (costing about $4-7 per bottle), which can be carried around.
8. Professional oxygen bars are available in cities like Lhasa and Nyingchi for temporary oxygen inhalation.

IV. Emergency Handling if Altitude Sickness Occurs

1. Handling Mild Symptoms
2. Immediately stop activities and rest sitting down or lying flat.
3. Inhale oxygen for 15-20 minutes (oxygen flow rate 1-2 liters/minute).

4. Take ibuprofen to relieve headaches; avoid sleeping pills.

5. Handling Moderate to Severe Symptoms

6. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Scenic areas like Tibet and Jiuzhaigou have emergency stations for altitude sickness (such as the General Hospital of the Tibetan Military Region in Lhasa or Jiuzhaigou County People’s Hospital).
7. Urgent Descent: If confusion or severe breathing difficulties occur, immediately transfer to a lower altitude area (e.g., from Lhasa to Nyingchi, or from Jiuzhaigou to Chengdu).

V. Prohibitions and Precautions

1. Avoid the Following Behaviors
2. Bathing within the first 24 hours after arrival (may cause temperature imbalance and oxygen deficiency).
3. Drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking sedatives.

4. Engaging in strenuous exercise or prolonged exposure to cold winds.

5. Special Population Tips

6. Individuals with colds should recover completely before entering high-altitude areas (colds may trigger pulmonary edema).
7. Chronic patients should carry medical records and emergency medications.

VI. Targeted Suggestions for Tibet and Jiuzhaigou

1. Tibet (Average Elevation Above 4000 Meters)
2. Recommended Route: For first-time visitors to Tibet, choose a "gradual adaptation route" (such as flying to Nyingchi at 3000 meters first, then heading to Lhasa at 3650 meters).

3. Transport Choice: Taking the train into Tibet (Qinghai-Tibet Railway) is better than flying directly to Lhasa for gradual adaptation.

4. Jiuzhaigou (Highest Point in the Scenic Area, Changhai, at 3100 Meters)

5. Free oxygen supply points are set up within the scenic area (mainly distributed at the Nuorilang Service Center).
6. It is recommended to take sightseeing buses to reduce physical exertion from walking.

VII. Essential Items Checklist

VIII. Travel Insurance Recommendations for High Altitude Trips

• Purchase travel insurance that includes "emergency rescue for altitude sickness" (products from companies like Ping An or Bupa).
• Save the insurer's 24-hour rescue hotline and inform your family and friends of your travel plans.