Tibetannet

What should you know before traveling to Tibet Autonomous Region? Reporters have interviewed experts and tour guides, and these are some health tips you should know.

I: When first arriving in Tibet, most travelers will experience different degree of altitude sickness, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and similar symptoms caused by oxygen deficiency. However, this does not mean that one can't adapt to the plateau environment If one adequately takes care of oneself, these symptoms will disappear after two to four days.

II: If you fly to Tibet, symptoms of altitude sickness generally appears within 12-14 hours of arriving. So, avoid strenuous activity directly after landing—it is best to rest in bed. Otherwise, once the symptoms appear, you will need even more time to adapt.

III: People often use oxygen to alleviate symptoms such as chest pain. This can help people to feel better, but once they go off the oxygen, symptoms will reappear. If symptoms are not too serious, it is best not to use the oxygen in order to speed up adaptation to the new environment. Furthermore, there is a small chance of oxygen dependency if one does use inhalers too much, so it is best to avoid taking oxygen all the time.

Photo shows the Mt. Kailash. [File photo]

In addition, after arriving in Tibet, one should eat plenty of carbohydrates and easily digestible food; drink a lot of water to keep hydrated, and avoid heavy meals. Do not drink alcohol or smoke. Eat morefruits and vitamin-rich vegetables. Moreover, butter tea is a lifesaver when it comes to altitude sickness—if you drink it, you will recover much faster than those who don't. Because it is full of vitamins and minerals, it can improve the body's circulation and increase the ability to adapt.

Don't bath frequently in the first few days in Tibet so as to avoid catching a cold. Colds are the main cause of high altitude pulmonary edema and are more difficult to recover from at that elevation.

During your stay in Tibet, it is not advised to carry heavy loads. When first arriving on the plateau, don't walk fast, and definitely do not jog or carry out manual labor. After one week, you can gradually increase your amount of physical activity.

Experts point out that in situations in which the person is not adapted to or prepared for the high altitudes, just to be safe, one shouldn't abruptly go to an area at more than 5,000 meters above sea level.