Should I take Diamox for Leh?

Should I take Diamox for Leh?

You don’t need Diamox to help acclimatization. Generally, you need to allow your body to acclimatize 24-48 hours at an altitude (above 10,000 feet) before going higher. I often get calls from trekkers telling me that they have been on several high altitude treks and that they have never had to use Diamox.

At what altitude do you need Diamox?

Acetazolamide is used to prevent and reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness. This medication can decrease headache, tiredness, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath that can occur when you climb quickly to high altitudes (generally above 10,000 feet/3,048 meters).

What is the best medicine for altitude sickness?

A doctor can give you acetazolamide (Diamox). This speeds up how fast your body gets used to the higher altitude. Nifedipine (Procardia) and dexamethasone are also used for altitude sickness. You may also be able to use oxygen or a specially designed pressure chamber to treat altitude sickness.

Is acetazolamide over the counter?

Acetazolamide is a prescription medication in the United States and, as a result, acetazolamide OTC is not available.

How can stop Ladakh AMS?

To prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): take 2 or 3 days of acclimatization in Leh or in the Indus valley before going to higher altitude. avoid increasing your sleeping altitude by more than 500 metres a day (you can go higher during the day, when crossing a pass for example, as long as you sleep at a lower altitude …

What are the long term effects of taking Diamox?

Diamox may worsen chronic liver disease. People with severe chronic lung disease may experience more breathing difficulty while taking Diamox. Diamox can make sunburn more likely. People should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight while on Diamox, especially if they get sunburned easily.

Is High Altitude bad for elderly?

Conclusions Moderate altitude exposure in the elderly is associated with hypoxemia, sympathetic activation, and pulmonary hypertension resulting in a reduced exercise capacity that is predictable based on exercise performance at SL.

Is there a substitute for Diamox?

You can take Ibuprofen every four to six hours only if needed. Do not take more than 1,000 mg of ibuprofen daily. Take ibuprofen with food or after meals if it seems to bother your stomach. Ibuprofen does get absorbed by the blood stream much faster than Diamox making it a quick acting drug.

How to deal with acute mountain sickness in Leh?

Acute Mountain Sickness can hit anybody at higher altitude. Thus, it becomes really necessary to keep a note of nearby hospitals and dispensaries. The Sonum Norbu Memorial Hospital in Leh and Medical Dispensaries at Mulbek, Drass, Sankoo, Trespone, Padum and Panikhar can be sought after in case of AMS.

What is altitude sickness and how to avoid it?

Altitude Sickness refers to the symptoms experienced when somebody ascends to a very high altitude in a very short duration, without giving the body proper time to acclimatize. This happens because the body is not able to adapt to the low levels of oxygen at high altitudes. Altitude sickness is very common in high altitudes.

How common is sickness during Ladakh trip?

Sickness during Ladakh trip is pretty common if one flies or drives to such a higher altitude directly. One has to experience quite extreme consequences. With the increase in altitude, things can get more serious.

How to avoid AMS in Leh Ladakh?

Due to its geography, Ladakh is home to extreme weather conditions. To keep AMS at bay, it is also necessary to dress well. Make sure you’re always dressed in layers and do not have any part of your body exposed (especially in winters). Dealing with Altitude Sickness in Leh: Commonly Asked Questions Answered