¡¡Because of the high elevation and rare air on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the climate is in the plateau characteristics with low atmospheric pressure, lack of oxygen, strong radiation from the Sun, great difference in temperature between day and night, strong wind and dryness. 60 to 100 percent of tourists from low elevation area will have acute reaction or disease to lacking oxygen in the area above 4000 meters of sea level. The reason is the rapid change of climate going beyond the range of common organic readjusting function. The main symptoms are headache, dizzy, nervous, out of breath, poor appetite, disgusting, dries, etc. Even have the symptoms like high blood pressure, palpitation and in a coma.

¡¡¡¡These symptoms may last temporarily. The human function will return to normal if you adapt for a time, or leave the plateau. Some may last for a long time. According to the research: there’s no symptom under 3000 meters of the sea level generally. The critical highness of reaction is 3000 meters. Tourists in this area may adapt after organic readjusting. In the area between 3000-5000 meters, the symptoms of lacking oxygen may occur, but there’s no any dangerous. The critical highness of obstacle is 5000 meters. The critical highness of risk is 7000 meters. Above 7000 meters is the mountain death area. But it is not without exception, some may cannot adapt even in the area between 2000-3000 meters. Mountaineer can still climb 7000-meter high mountains in loading.

¡¡¡¡60 percent of the area in Qinghai is above 4000 meters, 25 percent is from 3000-4000 meters and only 15 percent under 3000 meters. So it is necessary to do some preparation if travel on Qinghai Plateau.

¡¡¡¡1) Physical examination. People who have severe diseases on heart, kidney, lungs and liver, high blood pressure and anemia cannot travel to high plateau. If have ordinary diseases, you must take preventive measures, such as take oxygen and some medicines on person.

¡¡¡¡2) Preparation. People should have the determination and confidence to overcome the reaction of plateau and remove the feeling of fear in spirit. Generally people can adapt to the plateau environment after 2 or 3 days, not more than 5 or 7 days, and the symptoms of lacking oxygen will disappear or turned better greatly. Some people inhale oxygen to reduce the symptoms. It is useful temporarily, but will occur when stop inhaling. So the adapting time is put off. If the symptoms are not serious, it is better not inhale oxygen. You can just have a rest to reduce the symptoms. Thus, you can adapt to the plateau environment soon and have a good travel.

¡¡¡¡3)Exercise. You’d better do some sports games before traveling to plateau, such as climbing, jogging, playing basketball, loading or marching. It is active for adapting to the environment lack of oxygen. At the earlier stage when coming to Qinghai, you cannot have strong exercises, such as rapid marching, running and physical labor. Because of the low temperature, you should change clothes in time according to the rapid change of temperature, to keep warm and avoid catching a cold.

¡¡¡¡4) Adjust the living during traveling on plateau. The better foods are those with rich nutritious and easy to digest. You may eat some vegetables and fruits. Do not drinking. You’d better sleep with a higher pillow.

¡¡¡¡5) Necessities. You’d better prepare some warm clothes and UV-proof necessities. You’d prepare some medicines to avoid catching a cold and having stomachache. For avoiding the mountain disease occurs, you’d better prepare some medicines to raise the stamina of organism to lacking of oxygen.

¡¡¡¡If the symptoms become more serious and serious even while rest, you must inhale some oxygen and go to see a doctor or leave plateau.

Editor: Carolyn