Unaware and Ignorant Pilgrims

Pilgrims in the Himalayas have been travelling to high altitude pilgrimage sites since ages with absolutely different mind-set, in comparison to other (usually younger) travelers. The aim here is to gain spiritual connection with the god, to wash the sins by taking a holy dip or bath and find a path to salvation following various methods and processes. In fact, this group of population is the first ones to get to the mountains who actually identified and opened the pathway to this heaven. However, strikingly they are the ones who are least informed and are unaware about the potential dangers of exposing to this extreme environmental conditions.

I have been dealing with this group of population in high altitude since 2012 and I have always been amazed with the way they have been dealing with all sorts of situations in the mountains. Every now and then I attend these pilgrims with some sort of problem either in the mountains or in my emergency room.

Recently I attended a female patient of 65 years age in my emergency room who was rescued down from Muktinath (3,800 meters) after she developed severe acute mountain sickness (AMS) and high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Detailed interview with the patient and her husband revealed that she was resident of Kathmandu (1300 meters) and she started her journey from Pokhara (800 meters) to Jomsom (2,743 meters) on flight and went to Kagbeni (2,804 meters) via jeep on first day of travel. Next day, she went to Muktinath (3,750 meters) and developed symptoms (headache, vomiting, extreme fatigue, dizziness, cough, shortness of breath at rest). Then she was brought down to Jomsom and was treated for altitude illness and later evacuated to Pokhara at Western Regional Hospital.

This case is just a representative of many other similar and even more dangerous cases I have been witnessing.

Anyone who is used to travelling in high altitude and is keen to keep him/herself healthy in that environment must know how to plan the ascent, what to do and what not to do in the altitude. Here, I have shortlisted a few very important things one should be aware of and should not ignore when travelling to the high altitude destinations (especially focused for pilgrims!):

  • Plan the ascend profile; “Slow and gradual ascent” a 300-500 meters of sleeping altitude every night followed by a rest day after 1000 meters ascent above 2,500 meters.
  • Adequate hydration (drink plenty of water/fluids, oral rehydration solutions)
  • Avoid fasting (as much as possible)
  • Avoid overexertion
  • Report the early signs of altitude sickness like headache, weakness/fatigue to the partner/friend or medical personnel if possible and plan for decent if necessary!
  • Avoid exposure to cold
  • Use proper footwear, clothing including caps/hats and sunglasses
  • Use proper skin care products (sunscreen, lip balms)
  • Consult with your doctor if you have pre-existing illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, cardiac diseases, blood disorders, endocrine disorders, etc
  • Use medications for prevention in cases of unavoidable rapid ascent as per the prescription from experts in mountain medicine.
  • Pre travel consultation with your GP/Primary care physician with mountain medicine expertise

I wish you your upcoming journey to the religious sites of Himalayas to be full of spirituality and wish you to gain more sweetness and happiness to your life and into this world.

Dr. Santosh Baniya, MD (March, 2022)