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9 Precautionary measures to ensure safe holidays at the mountains with asthma

Asthma is one of the most common medical complexities people suffer today. However, despite being common, very little is known about it and therefore asthma patients are often forced to live under a strict code which forbids them of certain simple pleasures of life, such as going on a vacation or a holiday. As a medical professional, I know many people who crave for adventures such as mountaineering and trekking, but they have to kill their dream because of asthma. With strict medical routines and imminent threat of an asthma attack, very few people dare to go out of town, forget about going for a mountain trek or a climbing expedition. But lately with new discoveries in medical science many new techniques and strategies have been found which allows an asthma patient to travel across any kind of geographic landscape without worrying about his medical condition.

There is quite a fear among asthma patients when it comes to going on a vacation in mountains. But, vacations in hills can actually be rewarding or fatal depending upon the type of vacation you plan. In most cases, if you plan to visit a hill station to relax and enjoy the beauty, it might just work wonders for you and improve your condition. But, in case a highly adventurous vacation, which involves trekking and climbing you need to take several precautions in order ensure your personal safety.

In order to clear this confusion, we shall divide this write-up in two sections, i.e. general tips and climbing tips. The general tips section would cater to doubts related to merely staying at hill station, whereas climbing tips section would focus upon things to keep in mind while intense mountain climbing.

General tips

Many asthma patients avoid going to hill stations due to fear of a looming attack. But, research has proven that visiting hill stations and mountains would actually improve the condition. The air in the mountains being much dry and clean acts helps in reducing asthma symptoms. Read on to know some general tips that would help you in planning a perfect vacation to mountains.

Risk assessment

The first and foremost step to ensure asthma free holidays in the scenic beauty of snow-clad mountain ranges is to be well prepared in every way possible i.e. physically, mentally and medically. The first thing you must do as part of your trip preparations is to consult your doctor. The doctor will be able to explain to you the various risks involved depending upon how acute your asthma is? Even if your asthma symptoms are mild, the mountainous or rocky conditions could intensify it. Therefore, it is best to seek medical advice in advance.

Devise asthma travel plan

The second step which will take you closer to your dream vacation in the mountains is an asthma travel plan. Irrespective of how mild or sever symptoms for your asthma are, you need a travel plan which can assist you in case of any emergency. Your doctor would be more than happy to help you devise a travel plan which would mainly include:

Medication details

Assessment of improvement or deterioration of asthma symptoms

Contingency plan for asthma attack

Contact numbers of nearest medical help services

Know your destination

Apart from knowing about the places, where you would find scenic beauty, it is also advised that you find important information, which can help you in case your asthma intensifies. Information such as emergency helpline numbers, medical helpline numbers, nearest hospitals and clinics, nearest medical stores and availability of the prescribed medicines. Keeping this information handy can save your life in case of emergency.

Medication

Medication is almost as necessary for an asthma patient as food, and therefore one of the vital factors determining if you would survive your dream vacation or not. Therefore, try to carry medication as prescribed by your doctor for the full time period of your stay. If possible, try to carry extra medication in case if plan to extend your stay or your medicines get lost. Also, carry 3 inhalers and keep them separately but within reach.

Asthma triggers

Being on vacation is fun, but often in fun we forget many important things, such as making sure you stay away from your asthma triggers. In excitement of being in midst of beautiful mountains, you should not forget about things that can trigger an asthma attack. For instance: If tobacco smoke is what causes your asthma to intensify, make sure you are far away from people who smoke. Other common factors which trigger asthma are:

Animal fur

Pollen

House dust mites

Cold air

Chest infections

Exercise

Climbing tips

This section of the write-up will closely focus upon problems faced by asthmatic persons, while climbing on mountains. In most cases, the higher the altitude the better it is for asthma patient, because dry air, less allergens and clean environment makes life much easier for them. However, if you are planning on going higher than 5000 feet to 11000 feet, things might be a bit tricky.

Exercise induced asthma

In majority of patients who have had asthma attack while climbing mountains, had exercise induced asthma (EIA). In case of EIA, any activity which requires long term workout resulting into lack of oxygen in body can cause asthma attack. Therefore, climbing mountains for people with EIA might be tough but not impossible. With slow and steady efforts along with frequent breaks, any patient with EIA can reach the summit. Also, EIA can be improved by regular exercising within medical supervision, which helps in building one’s stamina for tougher exercise routines until asthma is completely cured.

Air pressure

Difference or rather drop in air pressure has also been seen as one of the primary triggers for asthma attacks. The higher you climb the air pressure tends to drop, air becomes thin and availability of oxygen also decreases. Therefore, body has to make an extra effort in order to in take whatever amount of oxygen is left in the air. People with asthma find themselves struggling for air as they go higher, resulting into deep or quick breathing. There is no medical solution to this problem, but acclimatization and slow climbing have helped people with asthma overcome this problem.

Altitude sickness and asthma

High altitudes can severely alter the way your body functions. The cold, dry, thin and scarce air surely makes life tough for normal people also, and not only for asthma patients. Many asthmatic patients often confuse a high altitude sickness such as AMS and HAPE with asthma due to similarity in symptoms. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) are a common sickness experienced by most climbers. AMS generally occurs when a climber doesn’t get his lungs and body acclimatized to thin, dry and cold air. One of the common symptoms of AMS is chest constriction, which is often confused as asthma.

In case of HAPE, the lungs don’t get enough oxygen to supply to cells and tissues. As a result, one suffers from breathing problems, fatigue and tightening of chest. These symptoms are also confused as worsening of asthma symptoms by asthma patients and treating them with asthma medication only worsens the condition.

Travel insurance

Last but not the least, always try and get your travel insurance done well in advance. Although all the tips mentioned here might help you to survive and have a pleasant holidays in mountains, but still asthma attack cannot be ruled out. Therefore, in order to be on the safer side you need to get your insurance done in case you suffer an attack you will be covered for the same. Also, figuring out how to pay for your medical expenses in a foreign land might be pretty tough and travel insurance becomes a savior in such testing times. Having travel insurance also helps in other ways as you get special privileges and attention in flights or trains due to your medical condition. Also, make sure you notify the flight operators and Stuarts about asthma, which will help them to be prepared to help you in case of any emergency.

Mental toughness

This point is more or less applicable to daily life of asthma patient, but is more relevant while climbing mountains. When one starts to feel breathlessness, it is a common panic and be anxious about it, however this is not going to solve the problem. You need to be mentally prepared for worsening of asthma or even a full-fledged asthma attack at any point of time. Being mentally prepared will help you cope with the attack more easily and apply the contingency plan more effectively.

Keeping these simple but very important things in mind while planning for a vacation in mountains, will help you have a pleasant stay without any worries about your asthma.

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