ACUTE MOUNTAIN-SICKNESS IN LOCAL PILGRIMS TO A HIGH-ALTITUDE LAKE (4154M) IN NEPAL

There is a significant collection of literature on acute mountain sick ness (AMS) in foreign trekkers to Nepal. However, reports on altitude sickness among native Nepalis besides Sherpas is almost non-existent. This is a preliminary study sponsored by the Himalayan Rescue Associat ion of AMS among pilgrims to a holy lake (Gosaikunda) at 4154 m in Nep al. The study was done using a standard AMS questionnaire form. It rev ealed that out of 5163 pilgrims who came to the lake, 229 (4.4%) devel oped AMS. The severity of the illness correlated with the rapidity of ascent, but there was no difference in severity between men and women. Five pilgrims who were ataxic were put in the hyperbaric bag. Subject ive improvement was noted in all five cases. This study of AMS among n on-Sherpa pilgrims suggests that various Nepali ethnic groups may be j ust as vulnerable to AMS as are tourists.