Acute Mountain Sickness can affect anyone above 2,500 m. Learn the warning signs and the simple rules that keep you safe in the Himalayas.
Know the symptoms
Common early symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) are headache, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue and poor sleep. Serious forms (HAPE and HACE) cause breathlessness at rest, confusion and loss of coordination and need immediate descent.
Golden rules
Above 3,000 m, increase your sleeping altitude by no more than 300–500 m per day, take a rest day every 3–4 days, and never go higher with symptoms. Consult your doctor before the trip about medication such as acetazolamide.