The mountain areas of Nepal have not only seen a dramatic upsurge of domestic trekkers, but it also raises the risks of sickness that associated with high-altitude illnesses, and it has been growing fast at the equal ratios. According to the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA), the problem of high-altitude illness has become a serious problem in Manang, and a few other mountainous destinations which are now connected by motorable roads for easy and fast access.
More than 450 cases of high-altitude sickness were recorded among Nepali trekkers in Manang last year, so this number of cases can be raised if awareness is not spread among them. If we do not take this matter seriously, it’s going to become a big problem. Who would like to go up to this elevation with fast movement may be affected by high-altitude illness. In Manang, a motor road has reached in Khangsar village of 3,756 m. elevation, and trekkers can drive up a short period of time.
The HRA has stated that there was a growing trend among the Nepalese to visit mountain destinations at 4,000 m. They usually travel by their cars and motorbikes from the Tarai lowland which is 100 m. above the seas level, resultant increases risk of getting high-altitude sickness. According to HRA, most of the school and college students would like to travel to Manang in two and four-wheelers, and then set off to Tilicho Lake at 4,919 m. or Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m. following the next day trip. However, lack of suffice oxygen at high altitudes, the adventure trekkers may affected by acute or high altitude sicknesses.
The HRA normally keeps its clinical remedy treated by three medical doctors in Manang during the spring and autumn trekking seasons. However, the clinic is targeted at foreigners as they are supported by travel insurance. It is a social obligation to provide treatment to Nepalese people. However, there is no policy on treatment charges for Nepalese as they are not normally insured due to no travel package.
Problems related to high-altitude sickness have also emerged in Lo Manthang, Mustang as a motor road now links the travel hub of Jomsom with the Nepal-China border at Korala Pass. Traveling to high altitudes can cause altitude-related illnesses such as Acute Mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) or accumulation of fluid in the lungs (high-altitude pulmonary edema, (HAPE).
The symptoms of this altitudes include loose of appetite, sleep disturbance, difficult to pass urine, headache, irregular breathing, nausea, mild weakness, slight swelling of hands and faces, etc. Hence, it is possible to prevent these conditions by ascending slowly. Serious complications of high-altitude sickness can usually be avoided by watching for early signs and responding quickly in sense of remedial actions.
