The Dangers of High-Altitude Sickness

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

Context

• Rising fatalities from high-altitude sickness in the Himalayas underscore the necessity of implementing effective preventive strategies for tourists.

What is High-Altitude Sickness?

• High-altitude sickness, medically termed Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a condition that occurs when the body struggles to adapt to reduced oxygen levels at elevations above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters).
• Causes: At higher altitudes, lower air pressure reduces oxygen availability, leading to hypoxia (oxygen deprivation in body tissues).
• Symptoms of AMS: Headache, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath. If untreated, AMS can develop into;
  • High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): Fluid buildup in the lungs causing breathing difficulty.
  • High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): Fluid accumulation in the brain leading to confusion, hallucinations, and coma.

Physiological Changes at high altitude

• Increased breathing rate (hyperventilation) to compensate for low oxygen levels.
• Production of more red blood cells to enhance oxygen transport, thickening blood and increasing strain on the heart.

Challenges at higher altitudes

• Inadequate Infrastructure: Regions beyond major towns like Shimla lack specialized healthcare facilities to treat high-altitude sickness.
  • Leh in Ladakh serves as an exception, having developed robust facilities for high-altitude ailments.
• Gaps in Preventive Health Measures: Lack of mandatory health screenings for tourists entering high-altitude areas.
  • Limited availability of oxygen supplies, hyperbaric chambers, or trained medical personnel in remote regions.

What are the steps needed?

• Mandatory Registration System: Introduce mandatory registration for tourists visiting high-altitude regions to monitor movement and facilitate rapid response during emergencies.
• Screening: Conduct preventive health screenings at entry points for tourists.
  • Display health and safety information at checkpoints and on government websites to educate tourists on acclimatization and risks.
• Gradual Ascent: Promote gradual ascent schedules to allow time for acclimatization and reduce the risk of AMS.
• Emergency Response Measures: Provide supplemental oxygen or portable hyperbaric chambers at major tourist hubs.
  • Encourage the deployment of trained paramedics at high-altitude destinations.

• Research and Development: Set up research centers to study the effects of high-altitude conditions on human physiology and develop better treatment methods.
• Air-Ambulance Services: Equip Himalayan States with air-ambulance services for rapid medical evacuation from remote regions.
• Infrastructure Development: Enhance road connectivity to remote regions to ensure timely access to healthcare facilities.

Source: TH