Trekking in Nepal need not be considered a risky affair as far as your health is concerned. But very little medical care along the trail is available, so make sure you are physically fit and healthy before departing.
In case of serious illness or injury, prompt evacuation to Kathmandu is the best remedy. Helicopter rescue service is very expensive. Neither the Government of Nepal nor your embassy nor the trekking agency is responsible for footing the bill. Therefore, you are requested to insure for rescue operations as well.
Altitude sickness: Altitude sickness is also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and 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 3000 m.
The initial symptoms of AMS are: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia/ sleeplessness, persistent headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion; disorientation, drunken gait, weakness, fatigue, lassitude, heavy legs, slight swelling of hands and face, breathlessness and breathing irregularity, reduced urine output. These symptoms are to be taken very seriously.
In case any of these symptoms appear, immediately stop further ascent, otherwise more serious problems can occur which can even cause death, sometimes within hours. The only cure for altitude sickness is to descend to a lower elevation immediately. This must be taken seriously as there is no other cure.
Acclimatization by ascending to no more than 300 to 500 meters per day above 3000 meters and proper amount of rest are the best means of preventing AMS.
Personal first aid kit
You are going to travel or treks or tours or climb especially in Wilderness Mountains, Middle hills to low land of Nepal,It is highly recommended to have own following written medication even your guide carries comprehensive medical kit. It is advisable to bring your won a small first aid kit items for your personal use,plus any special medication you may require.Base you medical kit on the following list.
- Diamox- for Altitude sickness – ask your Doctor.
- Iodine-based water purification tablets.
- Paracitamol or Aspirin.
- Stomach pills –ask your doctor.
- sterile plain and crepe bandage
- Hand aid, Blisters pads.
- Re-hydration salts, powder.
- Multi Vitamin tablets
- Insect repellent.
- Antiseptic cream.
- Throat lozenges and hard candies.
- Sun/face cream and Lips screen.
- Anti protozoan (flaggy) –Ask your doctor.
- Anti diarrhea drug –ask your doctor.
- Antibiotics, A broad spectrum antibiotics- Ask your Doctor.
- Analgesics,Aspirin, Advil or Tylenol for headaches –etc.-Ask your doctor.
- Moles skin or second skin for blisters.
Note: please, take your doctor’s advice to get above written medicine for your own personal medical Kit.