Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AMS victims may need to be flown out of Tibet as quickly as possible, so make sure you
have adequate travel insurance.
The drug acetazolamide (Diamox) is recommended for the prevention of AMS - take
125mg twice a day as a preventive dose. Be aware that even when you are on Diamox,
you should not ignore any symptoms of AMS. Diamox should be avoided in those with a
sulphur allergy.
Drug treatments should never be used to avoid descent or to enable further ascent (al-
though they can help get people well enough to descend).
Several hotels in Lhasa sell a Tibetan herbal medicine recommended by locals for easing
the symptoms of mild altitude sickness. The medicine is known as
solomano
in Tibetan and
hóngjīngtīan
() in Chinese, though locals also recommend
gāoyuānníng
() and
gāoy-
uánkāng
(). A box of vials costs around ¥35 to ¥50; take three vials a day.
Food
Vegetables and fruit should be washed with purified or bottled water or peeled where pos-
sible. Beware of ice cream that is sold in the street or anywhere it might have been melted
and refrozen; if there's any doubt (eg a power cut in the last day or two) steer clear. Avoid
undercooked meat.
In general, places that are packed with travellers or locals will be fine, while empty res-
taurants are questionable. Chinese food is usually cooked over a high heat, which kills
most germs.
Frostbite
This is the freezing of extremities, including fingers, toes and nose. Signs and symptoms of
frostbite include a whitish or waxy cast to the skin, or even crystals on the surface, plus
itching, numbness and pain. Warm the affected areas by immersing them in warm (not hot)
water or with blankets or clothes, only until the skin becomes flushed. Note: frostbitten
areas should only be rewarmed if there is not a likelihood they can be frostbitten again prior
to reaching medical care. Frostbitten parts should not be rubbed. Pain and swelling are in-
evitable. Blisters should not be broken. Get medical attention right away.
Heat Exhaustion
Dehydration and salt deficiency can cause heat exhaustion. Take time to acclimatise to
high temperatures, be sure to drink sufficient liquids and do not do anything too physically
demanding.
Salt deficiency is characterised by fatigue, lethargy, headaches, giddiness and muscle
cramps; salt tablets may help, but adding extra salt to your food is better.
