How to avoid altitude sickness – a doctors personal experience.

I thought I was prepared for altitude sickness, I’d read all the info, got the right medications, got fitter in the gym and planned my trip to allow some time for acclimatisation. After arriving in Quito at 2800m I felt fine. A couple I met over lunch told me I’d notice feeling short of breath soon but at that point I felt pretty smug that I so far was not affected! I hoped I was in the lucky few that barely noticed the altitude. A few hours later that all changed!

Continue ReadingHow to avoid altitude sickness – a doctors personal experience.

The real girls guide to training for high altitude

There are oodles of health and fitness blogs out there which will give you plenty of fitness regimes to get you in tip-top condition for your high altitude trek. But most of them are written by personal trainers or fitness gurus. I am neither. As a doctor I know the importance of being healthy and I try to keep reasonably fit. I LOVE dancing and dance regularly. I try to eat healthily 80% or the time (Oh ok... more like 60%) but I've never really been a gym go-er, the idea of going for a run gives me palpitations and I have to admit I drive into town more often than I walk! (I blame the rain in Wales!) But I'm a sucker for a bucket list and the Inca Trail has been on mine for as long as I can remember having one!

Continue ReadingThe real girls guide to training for high altitude