Prep for Ski Holidays

bandit wrote:Rose, you live at sea level, so it's harder for you to get acclimatised at altitude. Plenty of aerobic work for you in the autumn.

I get plenty of minor symptoms of AMS over 2000m if I'm sleeping at that altitude. It suits me to ski high and sleep low. These days, I find that Gingko Biloba cuts down on headaches and nosebleeds which I found to be a PITA for my 1st week in the mountains. Not sure why it works though!

Ginko Biloba works by increasing the oxygen flow to the brain. So I imagine it opens blood vessels.

On the subject of gyms, my OH owns a glazing company and on friday he had to go to a private gym to measure up for a window and a mirror. These were both in the gents changing rooms. When he got there, a bloke in his 70's was stark naked, sat astride a stool and drying his bits with a hair dryer. Is this the posh way of drying after a shower, while we lesser mortals use towels? :lol:

The only formally conducted trial I know of shows no benefits for ginkgo biloba, there may be some later trial that does. This was tested across about 600 trekkers and symptoms measured on the Lake Louise scale.

If it's minimally effective for some symptoms that you're suffering from that may not be reflected in what (little) I know of the trial protocol though.

ise wrote:The only formally conducted trial I know of shows no benefits for ginkgo biloba, there may be some later trial that does. This was tested across about 600 trekkers and symptoms measured on the Lake Louise scale.

If it's minimally effective for some symptoms that you're suffering from that may not be reflected in what (little) I know of the trial protocol though.

There have been quite a few trials On Ginko for mountain sickness, but the trials were poorly conducted which is why we are not allowed to recommend it for such. Although trials for other ailments have gone well and proven.

Rose, Ise, I started taking Gingko for reasons totally unrelated to mild altitude sickness. I was most surprised, when I had none of my usual symptoms the next winter, but did not connect this to Gingko. It was only when, by chance, I read some other anecdotal commentary on the benefits, I then had a hard look at what had changed in my diet. The only addition was consumption of Gingko Biloba. I had no idea it had been tested to treat altitude sickness.

bandit wrote:Rose, Ise, I started taking Gingko for reasons totally unrelated to mild altitude sickness. I was most surprised, when I had none of my usual symptoms the next winter, but did not connect this to Gingko. It was only when, by chance, I read some other anecdotal commentary on the benefits, I then had a hard look at what had changed in my diet. The only addition was consumption of Gingko Biloba. I had no idea it had been tested to treat altitude sickness.

I am quite tempted to try if only for a month or so before I go, but I am awful at taking medicines etc. I know too many side effects so usually stay clear. But Ginko's ok, it only interacts with some medicines.

RoseR wrote:
I am quite tempted to try if only for a month or so before I go, but I am awful at taking medicines etc. I know too many side effects so usually stay clear. But Ginko's ok, it only interacts with some medicines.

you're in the trade ? ) I agree, I've only been involved in Rescue and Emergency Care, in fact I re-validate next week, but I'm amazed at the stuff people take for no good reason and the potential side effects of some over the counter stuff. Ibuprofen and immodium are two pet hates of mine, perfectly reasonable things but hugely misused.

Ise wrote:

Dizziness from altitude is one of the symptoms of AMS, that does occur from 2000m upwards. Even at 2000m there's only 80% the oxygen in air that you get at sea level which is enough to make you dizzy.

That's quite interesting Ise. I remeber at Breckenridge, (2926m, town level), there was a fair sized medical station, with oxygen chambers, located at the bottom central slope arena. Also recall getting off the chairlift at Arapahoe Basin at somewhere near 14,000ft, and feeling OK. My OH though, felt giddy, until she started to ski.

So using the 80%/2000m value, assuming that one is aerobically fit, the heart would pump at 20% higher rate than at sea level, in the same exercise conditions. So with a pulse rest rate of 60 bpm, just standing still at 2000m, would take the heart beat to 75 bpm, and a bit higher, if just piste skiing.

Using your 3%/100m altitude gain, this equates to +30% for an additional 1000m altgain. So assuming that the heart responded to the full oxygen demand, this would take the beat up to 97bpm at rest, and a bit higher when skiing. Still OK. But if you move to the 3900m level, this would take most fit people into an uncomfortable position.

Last year, my eldest son walked into the Everest base camp, at around 18,000 ft, and suffered dreadfully for four days.

Interesting information, and very relevant for people who move from low Alpine skiing towards the 3000m/4000m levels. Thanks for that Ise.