A 27-year-old software engineer from Uttar Pradesh died during a solo bike trip to Ladakh due to oxygen deficiency. Chinmay Sharma's health declined rapidly after he reached the high-altitude region. He was hospitalised in Leh but succumbed before his parents could reach him, Times of India reported.
Sharma used to work with a digital marketing company in Noida and had started for the trip on August 22. On August 26, he called up his father and complained of headache. His father, a teacher, advised him to take rest and seek medical advice. But later that day, Sharma called up his family again and said that he was having breathing problems. His father arranged for the hotel owner to admit Sharma to a hospital as the family prepared to rush to Leh.
Sharma, however, died on August 29 -- just hours before his parents arrived. He was cremated the next day, the publication reported.
Ladakh's average altitude is around 3,500 meters (11,482 feet) above sea level. At this altitude, the air pressure and amount of oxygen available per breath are significantly lower than at sea level. It can cause altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
According to a health advisory issued by the government which is displayed at the airport and other tourist spots, visitors arriving in Leh must undergo at least 48 hours of acclimatisation before initiating their journey to high-altitude areas. "Road travel does not help at all in acclimatization. It builds up the altitude effect progressively," it added.
The advisory strongly recommends having Diamox-250mg (acetazolamide) tablets twice a day, after breakfast after dinner at least two days before starting the journey to Leh, and "should be continued for two days more, after arriving at Leh". It also mentions that visitors should not exert themselves physically on the first two days of arrival. "In case of symptoms of HAPE/HACE kindly consult a doctor immediately," the advisory read.
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) are both life-threatening conditions that can occur at high altitudes. HAPE is a buildup of fluid in the lungs and is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. HACE is a swelling of the brain caused by altitude sickness and is the most severe form of altitude sickness and requires emergency care.
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