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Advices

Altitude Sickness (Soroche)

A large part of the territory of Peru and Bolivia is at a very high altitude. During your trip, you will go through regions that reach over 4,000 m. This causes inevitable discomfort and disorder to your body.
The soroche or altitude sickness manifests itself in various forms, from a simple headache to a pulmonary edema (fortunately rare). Below, tips to follow:

Consult your doctor before traveling. Especially if you have a history of cardiovascular or respiratory disease.
In case of altitude problem go down to a lower altitude or take oxygen (available in some buses)
Avoid go to high mountains quickly.
During the first days at altitude, avoid physical exercise.
If you have slight headaches, preferably take paracetamol
Do not have reservations to prove local remedies: the inhabitants of the Andean highlands used coca leaves for centuries to alleviate the soroche. In these areas you will see that the coca leaf is sold everywhere, it is not illegal as you could believe.
Take a coca leaves tea for greater effect, if you are desperate because of the "altitude sickness", chew coca leaves previously boiled. When chewing make a ball with them, coca leaves are very bitter and unpleasant taste, so mix them up with something sweet. Do not take coca leaves to your home. You will have problems in controlling immigration in both countries.

First day it is inevitable, you feel dying, try to:

a).- Rest (lie in bed although it is impossible to sleep).
b).- During that time avoid eating solid food (have soups, all you can of coca and packaged juices) It will prevent heavy digestions c).- and reduce dehydration.
d).- Drink plenty of water.
e).- In case of sickness (lack of oxygen, headache similar to a migraine and vomiting etc.) do not hesitate to consult a doctor.

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