Regarding the Diamox part, is it valid to compare taking the medication with better shoes or backpacks ? Better shoes and backpacks were designed to aid treks. Diamox, as far as I understand, wasn't. It is probably an anhydrase blocker, that serves to help with restricting build up of fluid in our tissues. Yes, with time, this horizontal innovation has found use across several verticals like managing heart conditions, helping with ocular pressure etc and yes, also in acclimatization. But, like all allopathic medication, it comes with a list of other functions that are impacted (I am not saying affected, but definitely impacted) I think one of the first testing of this unintended side of diamox was in 1986 Kilimanjaro after several anecdotal evidence began to surface. But even then, it's diuretic nature is something that is at odds with trekking and probably needs to be handled with more water intake. Now this debate will have both sides and can go on. But my point is, how prudent is comparing a diuretic medication, that unintentionally became useful at altitudes and impacts several other bodily functions (the anhydrase it blocks, serves other functions too beyond the ones that are intended to be blocked. But just like any other medicine, those have been studied to be in safe levels), to innovations in trekking gear ? Are the two at the same level ?
Hello Upayan, here is what Lakshmi has to say "I understand your apprehension in comparing the two. However, in my experience of 9 years, I have found that the benefits of Diamox outweighs the side effects of Diamox by a very large margin. In fact, in many cases, the Diamox has helped trekkers complete the trek with minimal or no symptoms at all. In the end, trekking in the Indian Himalayas, comes with a risk of altitude illness. When I see trekkers getting evacuated because they did not take the symptoms seriously or when they hide the symptoms thinking that their body can do better, too many people pay the price for it. So, when I compare all of this, I still stand by my statement that the short term use of Diamox outweighs its potential side effects." Hope this answers your question :)
Hi Neelesh, you can start on a dosage of 125 mg every 12 hours 2 days prior to your trek (or when you arrive at Delhi). Increase it to 250 mg every 12 hours from the day you get to the base camp and continue until you complete the trek.
Hi Swastik, here is a detailed video from Dr Sreelakshmi talking about how to manage your blood pressure on a trek. Hope this helps :) ua-cam.com/video/h4uTH400Nv8/v-deo.htmlsi=PHoA-oJBl-7JW4Jn
Regarding the Diamox part, is it valid to compare taking the medication with better shoes or backpacks ?
Better shoes and backpacks were designed to aid treks. Diamox, as far as I understand, wasn't. It is probably an anhydrase blocker, that serves to help with restricting build up of fluid in our tissues. Yes, with time, this horizontal innovation has found use across several verticals like managing heart conditions, helping with ocular pressure etc and yes, also in acclimatization. But, like all allopathic medication, it comes with a list of other functions that are impacted (I am not saying affected, but definitely impacted)
I think one of the first testing of this unintended side of diamox was in 1986 Kilimanjaro after several anecdotal evidence began to surface. But even then, it's diuretic nature is something that is at odds with trekking and probably needs to be handled with more water intake.
Now this debate will have both sides and can go on. But my point is, how prudent is comparing a diuretic medication, that unintentionally became useful at altitudes and impacts several other bodily functions (the anhydrase it blocks, serves other functions too beyond the ones that are intended to be blocked. But just like any other medicine, those have been studied to be in safe levels), to innovations in trekking gear ? Are the two at the same level ?
Hello Upayan, here is what Lakshmi has to say
"I understand your apprehension in comparing the two. However, in my experience of 9 years, I have found that the benefits of Diamox outweighs the side effects of Diamox by a very large margin. In fact, in many cases, the Diamox has helped trekkers complete the trek with minimal or no symptoms at all. In the end, trekking in the Indian Himalayas, comes with a risk of altitude illness. When I see trekkers getting evacuated because they did not take the symptoms seriously or when they hide the symptoms thinking that their body can do better, too many people pay the price for it.
So, when I compare all of this, I still stand by my statement that the short term use of Diamox outweighs its potential side effects."
Hope this answers your question :)
@@Indiahikes Thanks Ma'am. It certainly sets a new perspective.
Excellent
Very informative. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Very valuable information. Thanks for sharing. :)
Glad it was helpful!
Can you please recommend proper dose of Diamox to prevent AMS.
Hi Neelesh, you can start on a dosage of 125 mg every 12 hours 2 days prior to your trek (or when you arrive at Delhi). Increase it to 250 mg every 12 hours from the day you get to the base camp and continue until you complete the trek.
👍👍👍
How should people with high BP and under medication plan their preparation to not get sick ?
Hi Swastik, here is a detailed video from Dr Sreelakshmi talking about how to manage your blood pressure on a trek. Hope this helps :)
ua-cam.com/video/h4uTH400Nv8/v-deo.htmlsi=PHoA-oJBl-7JW4Jn
i though the video was uploaded 8 years ago at First. swathi you dont age or what? are you related to anil kapoor or something?