High-altitude medicine

ZONE OF KNOWLEDGE

A high-altitude expedition is a demanding test not only for your fitness but also for your palate and entire digestive system.

The altitude itself and the change:

➤ quality of food

➤ quantity of meals

➤ type of products

➤ flavors and preparation methods

can lead to a decrease in appetite.

ENERGY REQUIREMENTS IN THE MOUNTAINS

During climbing, the body uses huge amounts of energy. Therefore, it is important to provide high-energy foods, mainly based on carbohydrates.

A carbohydrate-rich diet helps:

➤ reduce body weight loss

➤ decrease muscle mass loss

➤ maintain endurance during exertion

At extreme altitudes (6000–8000 m), the situation becomes even more challenging. Oxygen-deprived intestines do not fully digest the consumed food, so nutrient absorption is limited.

ENERGY DURING CLIMBING

In the mountains, you burn a lot of calories, so it's important to regularly provide easily digestible energy.

The best options are:

➤ energy bars

➤ energy gels

➤ other quick sources of carbohydrates

A good habit is also to provide an additional approximately 500 kcal per day, even when you feel full.

HYGIENE IN THE CAMP

One of the most important rules in the mountains is hand hygiene.

They should be washed:

➤ before every meal

➤ after every visit to the latrine

Organizing a shared sanitation area is nothing new — even in Napoleon's army, building latrines was a fundamental principle of camp functioning.

Mountains are not a festival of flying toilet paper.

TRAVELERS' DIARRHEA

Travelers' diarrhea is a common issue in the first days of the expedition when the body is getting used to new food and local conditions.

The risk of its occurrence can be reduced through prevention.

Dietitians recommend taking probiotics containing Saccharomyces boulardii:

➤ even up to 4 weeks before departure

➤ and in the first two weeks of the expedition

MANAGEMENT IN CASE OF DIARRHEA

If diarrhea occurs:

➤ drink plenty of fluids

➤ preferably use electrolyte solutions

Helpful may be products used in sports and travel medicine, e.g.:

➤ Gastrolit – 1 sachet dissolved in 200 ml of warm water after each bowel movement

If symptoms persist longer, stronger medications can be used, such as:

➤ Loperamide

➤ Xifaxan

-------

WANT TO LEARNMORE?

If you want to better prepare health-wise for trekking or a high-altitude expedition, you can find the extended version of the guide in the ebook"High-altitude medicine in practice – a guide for trekking and expeditions" >>

-----

You can also gain practical knowledge about emergency procedures in the mountains through the online training"High-altitude first aid" >>- prepared for people planning trips to high altitudes.

-----

Detailed information about the expedition first-aid kit and precise instructions for preparing an expedition first-aid kit and personal rescue kit can be found in the ebook"Expedition first-aid kit – complete medical guide" >>

PLANNINGTREKKINGORHIGH-ALTITUDE EXPEDITION?

If you want to check whether your health condition allows you to safely participate in trekking or a high-altitude expedition, it is worth usingmedical consultation >>ortelemedicine expedition package >>

This way, you can assess health risks in advance, properly prepare for the trip, and increase safety while at altitude.

The company was established in 2004. The goal of MedEverest is education in the field of mountain medicine and the dangers of high altitudes. I deal with all medical aspects of staying at high altitude. I organize medical support for trekking and high-altitude expeditions.

Specialist Medical Practice Medeverest Robert Szymczak based in Gdańsk (80-360), at ul. Bolesława Krzywoustego 19F, NIP: 5841943576, REGON: 220148318.

All rights reserved. Copying content and photos is prohibited. Information obligation before consenting to data processing.(see).

Also checkStore regulations >> Implementation: ColinMedia.eu >>