This trip almost took me out 😭(Altitude sickness)
i recently travelled to yunnan, and this was my first time going above 4500+ metres. i thought i would be fine at first (it can’t be that bad right?) and i was quite confident that i wouldn’t be part of that 90% who will get it. but… boom… i was the only family member who fell sick 💀… even though i took the altitude medicine the tour guide gave us two times a day as we slowly went up from kunming (1,900 m), to dali (2,000 m), and then to lijiang, which is where jade dragon snow mountain is.
these are some of the symptoms i experienced:
1️⃣ light-headed and dizzy
- felt like fainting!!
2️⃣ increased heart rate
- i kept mistaking this for a panic attack, so i had to keep going to the toilet
3️⃣ extreme fatigue and muscle ache
- i was so tired that i slept the moment we reached the hotel at 6 pm, then woke at 9 am the next morning (the longest and best 15h sleep i have ever had!). i didn’t even have the energy to shower or unpack my bag as i might just fall asleep while doing it.
4️⃣ fever
- i had a fever for the two days, which got better on the 3rd day.
5️⃣ nausea and diarrhoea
- this was the worst symptom. i couldn’t eat as i had no appetite at all because the nausea was kicking in. i had diarrhoea 7 times in a row, so i was scouting for all the toilets available and topping up my tissues. and sadly, in rural areas the toilets aren’t really in the best condition and most of them are squat toilets. some of the squat toilets don’t even have doors, so i had to wait until everyone got out so i could start puking or having diarrhoea there without embarrassing myself. i’m quite surprised that despite the condition of the toilets, the flush works pretty well. 😂 thinking back, i was not sure why i had these symptoms as they were the least common ones. i was thinking whether it was a virus passed on to me during the trip because i only had it when i got down from the tourist spot 🥲
ANYWAYS , i think this trip was a nightmare but also humbled me a lot, especially the toilet one, but i never felt so happy to see one.
it did somehow really made me realise how privileged we are in singapore. this trip pushed me out of my comfort zone and humbled me in ways i did not expect. as horrible as i felt at that moment, it became one of those experiences that you look back on and feel grateful for. especially when it comes to the toilets, i can say that singapore toilets truly hit different now! 🚽😭 also, i appreciate my sister and her bf as they took care of me and made sure i was okay. without them, this trip would have been a lot harder to get through.
so… my advice if you are going to a high-altitude place is to not stay there for too long (at most 40 mins max). and if you ever feel any breathless or light-headed symptoms, you should immediately head down. eating sugary stuff like chocolate bars does help, and drink plenty of water!!
make sure you have enough rest also before the climb, and if it is advised to eat altitude pills before going, PLEASE DO… and don’t be like me who fell sick throughout the trip!
Having faced altitude sickness firsthand, I now understand how important it is to recognize the early signs and take immediate action. Symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and nausea shouldn't be ignored, especially at altitudes above 3000 meters. Preparing well before traveling to high elevations can make a big difference. Staying hydrated is key, alongside consuming enough sugary snacks like chocolate bars to help maintain energy levels. Getting a good night’s sleep before the climb is vital too, as rest helps your body acclimate better. Altitude sickness medications are definitely worth taking if recommended by guides or health professionals. Even with medicine, pacing yourself and limiting time spent at extreme altitudes—no more than 40 minutes at a time—helps prevent symptoms from worsening. From my experience near Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, rural areas often have less sanitary toilet facilities, so prepare yourself mentally and carry essentials like tissues and hand sanitizer. Having supportive travel companions can be a lifesaver during tough moments. Although the sickness made the trip difficult, it was also humbling and gave me a newfound appreciation for health and comfort we sometimes take for granted. If you’re headed to high-altitude places like Alishan or Yunnan, take these lessons to heart to enjoy a safer and more comfortable journey.
Omg u had to go thru that on ur trip!!!! 😢