Advice for the Pilgrims re
Altitude Illness
1. Shri Kedarnath dham is situated in high altitude ,3581 m. The supply of
oxygen in atmosphere at this altitude is about 35% of sea level as such there is
grave need to exercise caution
Problems of altitude illness can begin to occur at 8,000ft (2,400m) or
lower, but serious altitude illness is rare below 10,000 ft (3,000 m).
Symptoms occur due to your body not adapting well to having less oxygen at
high altitudes. Shri Kedardham is located 11500 ft (3581m) The
body tries to adapt to lower amounts of oxygen in the air mainly by increasing
the rate and depth of breathing so you breathe faster and deeper. There is also
an increase in heart rate. Both of these mechanisms try to bring more oxygen to
the body. There is a wide individual susceptibility to altitude which seems to
be genetically determined - how well someone does at altitude seems related to
how well they breathe at altitude.
What happens to the body in
altitude illness? Lack of oxygen causes fluid leakage and accumulation
in between cells in the brain and/or the lungs. Symptoms can be mild or severe.
Mild symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness or AMS are headache, loss
of appetite, nausea, fatigue, lack of sleep and dizziness. These symptoms can
resolve once someone is acclimatized to the altitude for example by spending one
or two extra nights at the same altitude or going to a lower altitude.
If symptoms worsen then the
person must descend to a lower altitude as soon as possible.
2. Pilgrims with pre existing medical condition/s are advised to seek medical
opinion before deciding to
take a helicopter trip to Shri Kedarnathji.
Do’s & Don’ts :
Do’s
- Do avoid taking any barbiturates , it suppress
you breathing and that is the last thing you want.
- Do drink plenty of water/tea/juice etc. and take
semi solid meals as khichidi or plain rice and Dal or any other high energy
food easy on digestive suytem.
- Do use wide brim hats use scarf/ Dupatta /Sari
Pallu to cover skin and full sleeve shirts for protection against Sunburn.
Use high SPF sun creams.
- Do take your prescription medication as usual
except barbiturates.
Don’ts
- Do walk at an easy pace so that you do not run
out of your breathe, take it easy.
- >Patients of cardio vascular disease and chronic
respiratory disease are warned against spending the night at Kedarnath Dham.