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Take it Easy, Subhash !


Take it Easy, Subhash !
Photo Information
Copyright: Subhash Ranjan (sranjan) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 14 W: 1 N: 48] (286)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-21
Categories: Daily Life
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-04-01 23:11
Viewed: 422
Points: 2
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The high altitude area is defined as more than 10,000 feet above sea level. Leh flight makes you reach 11,500 feet above sea level directly in 55 mins from Delhi (which is almost at sea level) without acclimatization. The body physiology takes some time to adjust at high altitude. One feels breathless with mild accustomed routine walk only after landing.

We were cautioned by the well wishers, “Do not be Gama, in the land of Lama” (Reference for Gama http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gama.
Hence, I was taking all precautions accordingly.Now hear my story carefully :(

I started having fullness of stomach after my first meal only. The sleep was disturbed with odd dreams and mild headache at times for 3-4 days. I could hardly eat despite of hunger; and had no appetite to best of foods I used to like. I always felt bloated due to sluggish bowel. I was told it is courtesy hypoxemia (low oxygen in the blood).

As a doctor of Medicine, I had taken full precautions to avoid acute mountain sickness (Tab Diamox 250 mg three times/day precautionary was started) with go slow attitude. This medicine was causing frequent urination & twitching of the face.

The most deadly form of sickness is high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPO) and is encountered frequently in over enthusiasts who start running on Day1 only.I saw few patients in the local hospital under-going Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy. The patient recovers fast provided HAPO is diagnosed early; else it is fatal.

I could get away with Acute Mountain Sickness to some extent at Leh; but another climb within 2 hours to Khardung La pass ( “La” in Ladakhi means “pass”) at an altitude of 18,380 feet above sea level, made me feel dizzy, sense tingling & numbness in my fingers & mild bluish discoloration of finger tips at Khardung La. We were told to leave this spot within half an hour.

After we left Khardung La, we had stopped for a cup of tea in a remote roadside village enroute Nubra Valley. The picture depicts my wrecked condition then. I started feeling better after 4th day in Leh. So you better be prepared to face all of them, else rest for 3-4 days at Leh & then proceed to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness & related complications.
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To lavinia: Hisranjan 1 04-03 06:37
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Hi Subhash,

great picture, love the composition, the lines!
thanks for sharing :) (I hope you don't mind, but I made a workshop 'cause your picture inspired me to do so.)

greetings, lavinia

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