Symptoms of Altitude Sickness in Tibet

Children and elderly travelers are not barred from Tibet, but their bodies often adapt more slowly to high altitude. Reduced lung capacity in seniors and smaller lung volumes in minors mean that the “thin-air” challenge above 3,500m can hit them first and harder. Knowing the warning signs prevents panic and allows you to act within the first golden hour, before mild discomfort becomes a medical emergency.

Mild Altitude Illness—Most Common, No Need to Panic  

Typical symptoms appear 6-24 hours after arrival: a dull, hang-over-like headache around the temples or forehead that worsens with exertion, restless sleep with frequent awakenings, heavy legs and mild fatigue, slight nausea or loss of appetite, and a slightly faster heartbeat. All of these are normal signals that the body is learning to cope with lower oxygen levels.  

Relief is simple: cut activity by at least half for the first 48 hours, drink 1.5-2 litres of warm water spread over the day, and eat light, carbohydrate-rich meals (noodles, rice, bananas). A single over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen can dull the headache, and extra layers or an open window will keep both cold and stuffiness away. Most people feel noticeably better after one to three nights.

Moderate Altitude Illness—Time to Act  

If early signs are ignored, the condition can escalate within 24-48 hours. The headache intensifies into a throbbing pain that does not ease with rest; repeated vomiting makes eating impossible; dizziness and poor concentration turn simple walking into a wobbly challenge; lips and nail beds may turn blue, and even sitting still can leave you breathless.  

Stop all upward travel immediately and rest in bed. Use a portable oxygen canister (available in most hotels) for 10-15 minutes, three to four times a day. Under medical guidance—often via a local clinic—acetazolamide can speed acclimatization, while anti-nausea tablets and rehydration salts correct fluid loss. Record symptom trends: if there is no improvement in 24 hours, descend 500-1.000 m; this single step usually brings rapid relief.

Severe Altitude Illness—A Medical Emergency  

At elevations above 4,000m, some traveler—especially after rapid ascent—develop life-threatening cerebral or pulmonary edema within 24-72 hours. Warning signs include severe, unrelenting headache with projectile vomiting, confusion, hallucinations or seizures, a dry cough that suddenly produces pink frothy sputum, extreme breathlessness at rest, a racing heart, cold clammy skin, and little or no urine output.  

Immediate action is critical: lay the person on their side to prevent choking, give high-flow oxygen via mask, and call 120 (emergency number). While waiting for the ambulance, arrange transport to the nearest lower-altitude town such as Nyingchi. Do not offer food or water, and avoid any exertion. Prompt descent and hospital care usually reverse the crisis within 48 hours, yet the remainder of the trip should be cancelled or drastically rerouted.

Conclusion 

Altitude sickness in Tibet is both predictable and recognizable; slow travel is essential, and you must heed bodily signals to avoid exhaustion. A calm response at the first hint of trouble keeps Tibet's skies blue and your memories golden.