Essential Medical training for stomach & virus problems in Manaslu

14 Oct 2024 Chandra Gurung

As the Manaslu Circuit Trek is a completely remote exploration, exploring the isolated part of the Himalayas, you must be careful about common health issues and injuries. Foods, climate, and water can often be the cause of stomach and virus issues during the Manaslu Trek.

There aren’t enough health/medical posts along the trail, and you will need to travel long distances in between to reach well-equipped health posts. Thus, the lack of proper facilities along the way is another challenging factor of Manaslu Circuit Trek‘s difficulty. 

To avoid getting sick on the trail, pay extra attention to your hygiene and sanitation. Be conscious of the food you eat and the water you drink because these simple things can be disastrous if gone wrong. Similarly, traversing carefully on rugged trails is also important to avoid any kind of injury.

Stomach and virus problems during the Manaslu trek

Manaslu throws many challenges to trekkers but it ultimately comes down to how you prepare yourself for it. Trekkers mostly suffer from stomach and virus-related issues and that too due to tiny mistakes without even their realisation. 

Here are some of the problems that may arise and the necessary medical training to prevent them:

1. Traveler’s Diarrhea

Can you guess what percent of tourists catch diarrhoea while travelling to Nepal? It is hard to believe but it is 68%. It is like if a family of three is traveling, two of you will get that. And that is not uncommon while trekking in Manaslu.

 Trekkers often consume contaminated food or water, which is home to deadly bacteria or viruses. It also happens when you eat too much spicy or oily food during the trek. Added the climatic conditions and the tiredness your body goes through during the period.

It all starts with frequent watery stools and abdominal cramps. If neglected that will accompany fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. While diarrhea might seem like a small issue, it can bring your spirit down during gruesome trekking.

How to prevent it beforehand?

You might be wondering how to stay away from traveller’s diarrhoea during the trek. It is pretty simple as you just have to pay attention to what you put into your body. Washing hands properly before handling food is such an underrated act but can actually save your life. 

Instead of raw and undercooked food, feed yourself fresh and nutritious food. Not just food but the water you drink during the trek should also be a major concern. The issues you face after drinking contaminated water can bring you to your knees. So, hydrate your body with only pure water.

2. Altitude Sickness

You might be wondering what altitude sickness is doing in the list of stomach and virus issues. No doubt that this is a condition that primarily affects the respiratory system but there is more to it. Altitude sickness can also give trekkers gastric issues, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

To prevent all of that from happening, the first thing to do is to acclimatize your body to such great heights by going up slowly and allowing your body to adjust. Drinking enough clean water and other fluids also maintains oxygenation and makes sure you do not get dehydrated. 

While ascending, if your body feels funny, it is a sign you should take seriously. The smartest thing you can do during the trek is listen to your body’s signals.

Here are some don’ts for acclimatization:

• It is foolish to continue ascending after your body shows any signs of a headache and other altitude illness.
• Avoid taking sleeping pills at all costs.
• Avoid alcohol, period.
• Don’t sleep during the daytime and stay active.

3. Food Poisoning 

Food poisoning during the Manaslu trek is not unheard of. Tourists who are completely new to the environment can easily fall victim to this problem by consuming contaminated foods with harmful viruses. A survey has shown that more than 40% of tourists have aborted their trek due to food poisoning.

If you have even gotten food poisoning, you might say that you ate at a clean place but you don’t know what goes on behind. The preparation, improper handling, and storage of foods are equally responsible for poisoning your food. 

So, what can you do to prevent yourself from catching food poisoning? Here are some things to follow from the heart:

• Wash and sanitize your hands before eating anything.
• Wash fruits before consuming
• Any raw items other than fruits should be avoided
• In case you’re carrying perishable food, store it in a cooler place like an insulated bag
• Drink purified water only (Carry water purification tablets or a filter)
• Inspect food stalls and avoid eating street food

4. Parasitic Infections

The majority of the virus and stomach problems during trek are caused by the food and water we consume and that is no exception with parasitic infections. These infections spark a major health concern, mainly in areas with poor sanitation and polluted water sources where viruses and bacteria breed. 

While the symptoms may vary on the specific parasite involved, many of them often include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, anemia, etc. To prevent caching any type of parasitic infection, only drink purified water. DO NOT eat raw or undercooked meat or fish items. Paying attention to what to eat and drink overall can minimize the risk of exposure to parasites.

5. Viral Infections

No matter what altitude you are at, anybody is bound to receive viral infections like the flu, cold, and norovirus. Even trekkers at high altitudes are prone to this. In remote places with little or no medical care, these infections can be troublesome. 

Fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue are the starting phases of these infections. Not maintaining proper hygiene and touching the face often with dirty hands are often the culprits. Also, maintain distance from people who have these infections as anybody can catch them easily. In case of a preventable virus like influenza, you can also get vaccinated prior.

Some essential medicines for stomach and virus issues during trekking

1. Anti-diarrhea medication: Most trekkers suffer some type of diarrhea during trekking due to various reasons. Keep this in mind and carry an anti-diarrhea medicine like Loperamide so your tummy is happy during the trek.

2. Electrolytes: Known commonly as Jeevanjal, (life-giving water), electrolytes can help to rehydrate your body in case of dehydration and weakness.

3. Water purification tablet: No matter how clean they look, do not directly drink water from a stream or river. They are contaminated to some level. So, always carry water purification tablets and stay hydrated.

4. Anti-cold tablets: The climate gets colder as you go higher. As your body tries to adapt to the changing surroundings, you may catch the flu or fall sick. Make sure your medicines are there to take care of you. 

Other common medical problems during the Manaslu trek

We mentioned some of the stomach and virus problems that trekkers could catch during the Manaslu trek. Here are some other issues that could possibly come up during the trek and should not be neglected:

1. Snow Blindness

This is not related to the stomach or any virus. It is rather the sunburn of the cornea. If you want to know what snow blindness feels like, imagine putting hot sand in your eyes. Trekkers have to be extremely cautious of this when they are around snow even on cloudy days. 

That said, altitude alone is responsible for increasing the concentration of UV light. Wearing sunglasses is the only way to battle it. Porters are often the ones who get snow blindness. What to do if you forget your sunglasses at home? You can use cardboard shields shaped like glasses with two narrow slits for seeing. Trust me they are very effective.

2. Frostbite

As the temperatures drop, your body freezes solid and the results are grave. You often need amputation for such cases. Unless your body parts are exposed to extreme cold, frostbite takes longer to develop.

Rewarming the frostbitten part can be extremely painful and the flesh turns white or even blue and becomes wooden. It is necessary to warm the parts slowly and evenly. Blisters might form. Seek medical guidance as soon as possible.

3. Blisters

Walking is the thing that you probably spend most of your time doing during trekking. So, blisters are something you can not run away from, mostly if you have bad shoes. 

If possible, wear comfortable boots that you have worn before. If you feel some sensation like rubbing or a hot spot on your feet, stop and check since immediate action is best. Put on a tape if you have to. If it is painful and causing problems, pierce it with a clean needle and sanitize the skin afterward.

Precautions for Manaslu trek

Anyone who has heart, lung, and blood pressure issues should consult their doctor before embarking on the Manaslu trek. Other cases include:

1. Age

There is no age limit to trekking unless you’re a newborn baby who can not walk. That said, we have seen many retired people who enjoy trekking. It’s just that the older you are, the more you should focus on your fitness preparation. 

In the case of younger kids, they find it hard to adapt to the altitude and communicate how they really feel. But if they are physically fit and enjoy such activities, you can encourage them. If their little legs get tired, there are porters to carry them.

2. Pregnancy

It is probably not a good idea to go trekking during pregnancy, especially the first one. Complications are normal so why take risks? The effects of reduced oxygen at such high altitudes may be bad.

3. Hypertension and other medical conditions

If you’re a high blood pressure patient just remember that it fluctuates and becomes more than usual if you’re trekking. Consult your doctor before joining your friends for a trek. Also, if you have a history of heart attacks or chest infections, a doctor’s advice is needed. 

Conclusion

Manaslu poses unique health risks due to its high altitude, remote location, and potential for exposure to contaminated water and food. Many trekkers suffer from stomach and virus-related problems during the trek which need to be studied beforehand. With that, trekkers must learn the preventive measures and ways to cope with them (if occurred despite prevention). 

But you don’t have to worry much about these problems during Manaslu Circuit Trek when you have an experienced guide with you. In case of any queries related to any medical issues during the trek, feel free to contact Himalaya Guide Nepal. We will be more than happy to help you know more about such informative contexts.

FAQs

1. Can stress give you a stomach issue during the Manaslu trek?

Ans: Yes. Stress does more harm to your body than you can think of. The physical stress that your body goes through during the trek can decrease your body’s natural defences which can ultimately affect your digestion as well.

2. Why is alcohol bad during trekking?

Ans: What many people don’t know is that alcohol has diuretic substances meaning it causes frequent urination and decreases your body’s ability to absorb water. And that is the last thing we would want during trekking. Dehydration ultimately leads to digestion and altitude sickness issues. So avoid alcohol at all costs, period.