ALTITUDE, HYPOTHERMIA and other hazards.
There have been several posts inquiring about the potential problems with altitude. I know from personal experience from living in Colorado, that you can get very tired just walking on level ground above 10,000 ft. I moved to Denver, 5,260 ft and it took a week or so to become used to the altitude and I was 25 years old. If you’ve flown to Quito, which is 9225 ft in altitude from sea level, you may feel a bit woozy, sleepless and lethargic – normal symptoms of the acclimatization process the body undergoes over a few days as it adjusts to reduced levels of oxygen at altitude. Symptoms, which might also include breathlessness, needing to urinate frequently, fatigue and strange dreams, will abate naturally if you rest and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. So just forget about flying into Quito with plans to climb volcanoes the next day. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), known as soroche in Ecuador, occurs when your acclimatization process does not keep pace with your rate of ascent. It’s a debilitating and potentially dangerous condition caused by the reduced oxygen levels and atmospheric pressure at high elevations, and if you’re going to go much above 9,000 ft you should be aware of the risks. Your gender and fitness have no bearing on whether you will develop AMS, but children are known to be more susceptible to AMS than adults, and, if young, may not be able to tell you they’re feeling sick, in which case they shouldn’t be taken to high altitudes at all. Young adults, who think they're invulnerable, (in their teens or even early twenties) are also more susceptible and should allow extra days for acclimatization. Symptoms include headaches, nausea and extreme tiredness, dizziness, insomnia, and a staggering gait. The best way to relieve the condition is also the simplest – lose altitude. You can minimize the risks of developing AMS by ascending to high elevations slowly and allowing yourself to acclimatize – don’t be tempted to whizz straight up the nearest volcano without spending a night or two at altitude first. You should also avoid alcohol and salt, and drink lots of water or try the local remedy for altitude sickness, coca-leaf tea (mate de coca). A course of acetazolamide (Diamox) speeds up the acclimatization process, but this is a prescription-only drug in most countries, as it can be dangerous for people with heart conditions. It’s unlikely you’ll need this drug in Ecuador, but if you’re planning to go to very high elevations, you might consider it as a precaution. If you develop AMS, it is essential you do not ascend any further. Your condition will worsen and may become life-threatening. There are two severe forms of AMS. HAPO (high altitude pulmonary edema) is caused by a build-up of liquid in the lungs. Symptoms include fever, an increased pulse rate and coughing up white fluid; sufferers should descend immediately, whereupon recovery is usually quick and complete. Rarer, but more serious, is HACO (high altitude cerebral edema), which occurs when the brain gets waterlogged with fluid. Symptoms include loss of balance and coordination, severe lassitude, weakness or numbness on one side of the body and a confused mental state. If you or a fellow traveler displays any of these symptoms, descend immediately, and get to a doctor; HACO can be fatal within 24 hours. Decompression sickness is a more oblique problem associated with gaining altitude quickly. If you have been scuba diving in the Galápagos or on the coast, wait at least 24 hours before coming to the highlands or flying.
Another concern for people at altitude is hypothermia, an underestimated enemy responsible for more deaths among trekkers and climbers than anything else. Brought on by exposure to cold and when the body loses heat faster than it can generate it, hypothermia is greatly accelerated when you’re wet, tired and in the wind. Altitude exacerbates the problem Because early symptoms can include an almost euphoric sense of sleepiness and disorientation, your body’s core temperature can plummet to danger level before you know what has happened. Other symptoms are violent shivering, erratic behavior, slurred speech, loss of coordination and drowsiness, and are much easier to spot in other people than yourself. Victims should be given dry clothes, warm drinks (slowly) and kept awake and warm.
Decompression sickness is a more oblique problem associated with gaining altitude quickly. If you have been scuba diving in the Galápagos or on the coast, wait at least 24 hours before coming to the highlands or flying.
The Sun--It’s not a good idea to strip off and become a sun worshiper soaking up the rays of the equatorial sun. Serious sunburn and sunstroke are real risks, particularly at altitude, when the temperature is not necessarily that high but the thin air amplifies the harm done by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Jungle and coastal boat rides can also be dangerous, as cool river or sea breezes disguise the effects of the sun as it is reflected off the water. Use a high-factor sunscreen on all exposed skin, reapplying after bathing or exertion, and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Drink plenty of water, particularly if you’re exercising, and consider taking a rehydration solution or adding more salt to your food to counterbalance the effects of excessive sweating.
©Graham, Melissa; Ades, Harry (2010-01-04). The Rough Guide to Ecuador (Kindle Locations 387-405). Penguin Group.
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