[bluevolt]

We 4 people will be travelling to leh ladakh early next month by flight. Plan to stay in leh city for 24 hours then proceed to nubra valley next day followed by pangong lake. Next day will be again in leh city and travel back to delhi the following day. We made all our bookings knowing our normal health conditions with no specific issues.

But one of my friend shared that he had epilepsy issue (fits/seizures). He had his last epilepsy issue 8-9 years back. He was operated 10 years back and has been okay since then. Since I know him, I have never seen him face him any issues regarding this since last 8 years. Though he is on his normal prescription medicine He has no breathing problem. Has gone to shimla / nahan etc for 3-4 days which is around 7500 feet altitude and never faced any issue. He is 27 years old.

Our concern is that will him travelling to 11,000 feet leh cause any issue? He is not willing to consult his doctor as his parents might not let him go otherwise!

I want guidance from BHPians, Does high altitude induces epilepsy? Any specific pointers from medico bhpians?

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

Our concern is that will him travelling to 11,000 feet leh cause any issue? He is not willing to consult his doctor as his parents might not let him go otherwise!

This is very foolish; your friend's doctor should know his physiology well so only he can take an informed decision on whether your friend can and should make a trip. Not a bunch of strangers on the internet with no knowledge of his medical history.

Sure, be courageous and ambitious but take calculated risks. When healthy people have occasional problems at high altitude, someone with a known medical history should take every possible precaution.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

to leh ladakh early next month by flight. Plan to stay in leh city for 24 hours then proceed to nubra valley next day followed by pangong lake.

Since you are flying directly and not taking the road, the acclimatization process may not happen. Things would be abrupt for the body to adapt unless you spend the next 2 days at least at Leh Town to settle down.

So any AMS syndromes if you have can only be known while at Leh unlike the gradual way it happens as you start climbing up by road.

When we drove from Manali to Leh, we passed many high altitude passes and even stayed at Sarchu which most of them strongly advised against. None of us had any AMS Syndrome and we always were fully hydrated all the times with lots and lots of water intake. However, it was Sarchu that gave us all a slight taste of AMS next morning as we woke up - Mild dizzyness to start with but eventually we somehow got adjusted mainly because we were gradually climbing up since the last 24 hours.

You will be heading to Nubra which will pass the highest motorable pass (Khardung La) which again is a tricky one.

Does high altitude induces epilepsy?

May not be directly connected but remember that seizures are triggered due to many reasons and one of them is stress and fatigue. At a higher altitude with lower oxygen levels (= Stress), the body would not behave same was it would at normal altitudes which it has got used to all these years.

This looks certainly risky and as libranof1987 has already advised, it may not be worth risking it this way. Please take a call accordingly.

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

Has gone to shimla / nahan etc for 3-4 days which is around 7500 feet altitude and never faced any issue. He is 27 years old.

Our concern is that will him travelling to 11,000 feet leh cause any issue?

The places you describe fall in low to medium altitude category (Oxygen content ~ 17-18%). A little beyond, Narkanda (~2700m) is High, oxygen content ~15%. Leh, K-La, Nubra, Pangong etc are all in High to Very High category with oxygen content between 15-10%.

Take portable oxygen available in Leh, just in case you get stranded for any unforeseen reason.

But yes, first and foremost, the most prudent thing do to, would be to consult his regular doctor.

[aadya]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

We 4 people will be travelling to leh ladakh early next month by flight. Plan to stay in leh city for 24 hours then proceed to nubra valley next day followed by pangong lake. Next day will be again in leh city and travel back to delhi the following day. We made all our bookings knowing our normal health conditions with no specific issues.

Our concern is that will him travelling to 11,000 feet leh cause any issue? He is not willing to consult his doctor as his parents might not let him go otherwise!

I want guidance from BHPians, Does high altitude induces epilepsy? Any specific pointers from medico bhpians?

Fits/Seizures can be triggered by variety of stimuli like Bright light, noise, stress, sleep deprivation, low oxygen etc. He would be subjected to low oxygen, bright light(if travelling in snow covered regions), sleep deprivation and stress of travel.

He must visit the Neurosurgeon/Neurologist/Physician to assess his medication requirement, possibility of seizure recurrence etc., and please go by whatever the consulting doctor says even if it means cancelling or postponing the trip.

Note: I am a practicing physician. Please have a family doctor and always follow his/her guidance for any specialty consultation.

[parsh]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

Our concern is that will him travelling to 11,000 feet leh cause any issue? He is not willing to consult his doctor as his parents might not let him go otherwise!

Originally Posted by libranof1987

This is very foolish; your friend's doctor should know his physiology well so only he can take an informed decision on whether your friend can and should make a trip. Not a bunch of strangers on the internet with no knowledge of his medical history.

Sure, be courageous and ambitious but take calculated risks. When healthy people have occasional problems at high altitude, someone with a known medical history should take every possible precaution.

Please pay heed to what is said above.

Besides, the altitude and Epilepsy are remotely related. Epileptic seizures occur at absolutely normal terrains and in normal circumstances. At most, you can relate vertigo and lack of oxygen to those places.

Epilepsy is not a life threatening anomaly unless in a life threatening situation like say swimming where the person can become helpless and drown.

What could be more important up there is longer acclimatization and being ready with supplements like handy oxygen cans if needed.

I know of a kid with low level epilepsy having done that circuit without any issues faced en-route. They carried epileptic nasal spray with them but did not need to use it at all.

However, this should not be generalized and your friend should rightly take doctor's proper advice, he is sane enough.

[tj123]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

But one of my friend shared that he had epilepsy issue (fits/seizures). He had his last epilepsy issue 8-9 years back. He was operated 10 years back and has been okay since then. Since I know him, I have never seen him face him any issues regarding this since last 8 years. Though he is on his normal prescription medicine He has no breathing problem.
I want guidance from BHPians, Does high altitude induces epilepsy? Any specific pointers from medico bhpians?

The Ketogenic diet is one of the most potent, cost effective and a long term way to manage this issue without any drug related side effects or surgery. Besides epilepsy Ketogenic diet is also proven to be very effective useful in managing and treating metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, sleep disorders, brain cancer, autism, multiple sclerosis etc.
Link - http://www.drperlmutter.com/new-stud...atment-adults/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkMW1U7LC7E

Some more applications of Ketogenic diets

a) In the US navy seals also under Keto diet to avoid seizures due oxygen toxicity https://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Media-Ce...ty-Navy-Divers

b) Endurance athletes are using for enhanced performance http://www.nourishbalancethrive.com/...guide-ketosis/

[bluevolt]

He consulted his neurologist and the doctor gave him the green flag - Go but just take care with any kind of physical stress and no motorcycling.

Okay for a friend like me who was concerned and pushed him to see a doctor.

Let's hope the trip goes well.