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Tips for Altitude Acclimatization

High Altitude

Hippophae is the herb resource of Gaoyuan'an which is used to prevent AMSHigh altitude-we all enjoy that tremendous view from a high summit, especially standing at the rooftop of the world-Tibet. But there are risks in going to high altitude, and it's important to understand these risks. Here is a classic scenario for developing a high altitude illness. You fly from Chengdu to Kunming at 1,895 meters. That afternoon you fly to Lijiang at 2,400 meters, then drive up to Shangri-la at 3,280 meters. The next day you fly to Lhasa at 3,680 meters. You begin to have a severe headache and feel nauseous and weak. If your condition worsens, you may begin to have difficulty hiking. Scenarios like this are not uncommon, so it's essential that you understand the physiological effects of high altitude.

What is High Altitude

Altitude is defined on the following scale:

8,000 - 12,000 feet or 2,438 - 3,658 meters
Very High
12,000 - 18,000 feet or 3,658 - 5,487 meters
Extremely High
18,000+ feet or 5,500+ meters


What is Altitude Sickness


What Causes Altitude Sickness



The major cause of altitude illnesses is going too high too fast. Given time, your body can adapt to the decrease in oxygen molecules at a specific altitude. This process is known as acclimatization and generally takes 1-3 days at that altitude. For example, if you hike to Yampachen at 4,300 meters, and spend several days at that altitude, your body acclimatizes to 4,300 meters. If you hike to EBC at 5,200 meters, your body has to acclimatize once again. A number of changes take place in the body to allow it to operate with decreased oxygen.

  • The depth of respiration increases.
  • The body produces more red blood cells to carry oxygen.
  • The body produces more of a particular enzyme that facilitates.
  • The release of oxygen from hemoglobin to the body tissues.

Prevention of Altitude Sickness

Prevention of altitude sickness falls into two categories, proper acclimatization and preventive medications. Below are a few basic guidelines for proper acclimatization.

  • If symptoms increase, go down, down, down!

Preventive Medications

Diamox (Acetazolamide) allows you to breathe faster so that you metabolize more oxygen, thereby minimizing the symptoms caused by poor oxygenation. This is especially helpful at night when respiratory drive is decreased. Since it takes a while for Diamox to have an effect, it is advisable to start taking it 24 hours before you go to altitude and continue for at least five days at higher altitude. The recommendation of the Himalayan Rescue Association Medical Clinic is 125 mg. twice a day (morning and night). (The standard dose was 250 mg., but their research showed no difference for most people with the lower dose, although some individuals may need 250 mg.) Possible side effects include tingling of the lips and finger tips, blurring of vision, and alteration of taste. These side effects may be reduced with the 125 mg. dose. Side effects subside when the drug is stopped. Contact your physician for a prescription. Since Diamox is a sulfonamide drug, people who are allergic to sulfa drugs should not take Diamox. Diamox has also been known to cause severe allergic reactions to people with no previous history of Diamox or sulfa allergies.


Both Diamox and Dexamethasone are Western Medicine. You are recommended to consult your doctor for the prescription as they can have some serious side effects.

Rhodiola is the herb resource of Hongjingtian used to prevent AMSTibetan Herbal Medicine-Hongjingtian and Gao Yuan An are very good preventive and treatment effects for Altitude Sickness and AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Honjingtian and Gao Yuan An (Rhodiola Eoccinea and Hippophae) may help sleep at high altitude and thus increase oxygenation at night. The two Tibetan Medicines can be quite effective in treating altitude sickness. But it also has one side effect: if you take the medicine, your alcohol resistance will be higher, i.e. you can drink more before you get drunk. In accdordance with theories of modern medicine,"oxygen deficit is the mother of all sickness". Highland Hongjingtian can better regulate oxygen deficit in the local parts of the internal organs of human beings, can increase the degree of blood oxygen saturation, generating selfcure immunity, thereby enhance life vitality. In addition. Hongjingtian has also function of relieving alcoholism (more alcohol can be consumed when intaking this kind of beverage before or after).

Before you come to Tibet


Who'd better not come

People who suffered from high blood pressure and severe heart disease are not suggested to travel in Tibet.

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