Altitude Sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a particularly important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude Sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3,000 meters. Anyone may be affected by AMS regardless of strength or physical fitness. The initial symptoms of AMS are as following:
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia/Sleeplessness
- Persistent headache
- Dizziness, light heaviness, confusion, disorientation, drunken gait
- Weakness, fatigue, lassitude, heavy legs
- Slight swelling of hands and face
- Breathlessness and breathing irregularity
- Reduced urine output