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Should Preventive High Altitude Medication Be Carried While Travelling To Leh?
Question: We (family) are travelling to Leh for a week starting 25th May. Do you think we should take preventive high altitude medicine or carry the same with us and take if needed.For both cases, please mention the name of medicine and dosage. Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Inhalers if any one has respiratory issue.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
Leh is at high altitude and most commonly seen issues are :
1. High Altitude Sickness.
2. Respiratory distress.
High Altitude sickness can be developed by anyone travelling to Leh. For that we always advice to let your body acclimatize. Best way out for that is to plan a relaxed tour. This means, that you should first of all go and spend at least 24 hours in the hotel and the surroundings. Don't start going for travelling immediately as you reach there.
For motion sickness, if some one develops, he / she needs to rest. Drugs like Cinnarizine helps to some extent.
Second common problem is Respiratory distress, that most often occurs in old aged people, children or adults suffering from asthma, and smokers.
So, we advice people who suffer from these medical ailments to carry with them Salbutamol (Asthalin) inhalers. In case of respiratory distress, they can be life saving. Oxygen support is mostly available with the hotels and the tour planners.
Most of the tour planners carry oxygen cylinders with them in there coaches.
You should confirm that with your tour manager.
In case of severe respiratory distress, we always advice to see a nearby medical facility there.
So, we advice out patients to carry Cinnarizine and Salbutamol inhalers along with them, particularly people who have any medical ailments.
One should not smoke in the tour as smoking can cause breathing problems to the self and the co-passengers.
I would again reemphasize on Acclimatization, that is the most helpful way to prevent any issues.
This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Wish you a happy and safe journey.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD
Inhalers if any one has respiratory issue.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
Leh is at high altitude and most commonly seen issues are :
1. High Altitude Sickness.
2. Respiratory distress.
High Altitude sickness can be developed by anyone travelling to Leh. For that we always advice to let your body acclimatize. Best way out for that is to plan a relaxed tour. This means, that you should first of all go and spend at least 24 hours in the hotel and the surroundings. Don't start going for travelling immediately as you reach there.
For motion sickness, if some one develops, he / she needs to rest. Drugs like Cinnarizine helps to some extent.
Second common problem is Respiratory distress, that most often occurs in old aged people, children or adults suffering from asthma, and smokers.
So, we advice people who suffer from these medical ailments to carry with them Salbutamol (Asthalin) inhalers. In case of respiratory distress, they can be life saving. Oxygen support is mostly available with the hotels and the tour planners.
Most of the tour planners carry oxygen cylinders with them in there coaches.
You should confirm that with your tour manager.
In case of severe respiratory distress, we always advice to see a nearby medical facility there.
So, we advice out patients to carry Cinnarizine and Salbutamol inhalers along with them, particularly people who have any medical ailments.
One should not smoke in the tour as smoking can cause breathing problems to the self and the co-passengers.
I would again reemphasize on Acclimatization, that is the most helpful way to prevent any issues.
This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Wish you a happy and safe journey.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I read on Internet that a medicine called Acetazolamide (trade name Diamox) 125 mg twice a day may be taken as a precautionary measure for high altitude problem.
What is your opinion on this medicine and should it be taken ?
What is your opinion on this medicine and should it be taken ?
Brief Answer:
Indicated but should be taken under supervision
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
We use Acetazolamide but only in people who have the symptoms that is in the people who develop pulmonary edema. Taking it just as a precautionary measure is not indicated routinely.
Moreover, every medicine has it's side effects, and so should be taken under guidance of a doctor.
Good Luck.
Indicated but should be taken under supervision
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
We use Acetazolamide but only in people who have the symptoms that is in the people who develop pulmonary edema. Taking it just as a precautionary measure is not indicated routinely.
Moreover, every medicine has it's side effects, and so should be taken under guidance of a doctor.
Good Luck.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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