Trekking in Nepal need not be considered high risk for your health, but you must be prepared as there is very little medical care along the trail is available. It is important to prepare for the trek by making sure that 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 extremely expensive. The Nepalese government, your embassy or the trekking agency is not responsible for the bill. Therefore, you are requested to insure for rescue operation and for any medical evacuation.
It is your responsibility to take care of yourself along the trail by ensuring that the water you drink is boiled. Diarrhea and headaches can be risky for trekkers. So, bring appropriate medication and use them with caution. Sun burn can also be a problem at altitude, a barrier lotion will protect your skin and good sun glasses are also necessary. Blisters are another problem for the trekker and adequate supplies of foot treatments and band aids are advisable.
Altitude Sickness:
Often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is particularly an important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly for their conditions to elevation above 3,000M (9,840FT). The initial symptoms of AMS are as following: 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 of appearance of any of the above symptoms any further ascent must be stopped until symptoms subside, and continuing must be reconsidered, otherwise more serious problem can occur which can even cause death sometimes within a few hours. The only cure for the altitude sickness is to descend to lower elevations immediately and it has no other cure or substitute. Acclimatization with gradual ascent and proper amount of rest is the best methods for prevention of AMS.
Group Trip Medical Kit:
Our treks involving group travel and a tour leader, the tour leader usually brings a medical kit with basic medical supplies for the group. However, each trip member is advised to bring medical supplies to meet his or her needs for the entire trip.
Private Trip Medical Kit:
If you are on a private journey, traveling alone or traveling with your family and friends without joining a group, bring your own medical kit with sufficient supplies to last for the entire trip. Quality medical supplies are difficult to find in Nepal. Local brands of similar effect are available at local pharmacies in limited places.
We carry a small medical kit with basic supplies for extended duration treks involving high altitude and passes. However, we find that the best remedy is that the trip participants bring their own medical supplies.