UNDERSTANDING 'POST TREK FEVER' AND HOW TO AVOID IT.

 

UNDERSTANDING 'POST TREK FEVER' AND HOW TO AVOID IT.

After returning from your high altitude trek, were you ever down with fever ?

You may have felt fatigue, cold, cough and got a fever that lasted of nearly two to three days. This is what we call 'Post Trek Fever'. A study has shown that nearly 40% of the trekkers experienced this after returning from high altitude treks. With such a number, it is an issue that has to be understood and addressed to. 

In my this blog UNDERSTANDING 'POST TREK FEVER' AND HOW TO AVOID we will find out why does it happen and how to avoid it. 

Let us first find out why this post trek fever happens ?

When you are on a high altitude trek, the body is putting a lot of effort to help you climb on mountain, you are over working your lungs, heart, body muscles, your legs, and joints, thus putting excessive stress on your body. Also, you are eating into lots of  energy that your body has saved up so far in the form of fat deposit, your immune system, your muscles and every where. Assume your body as a battery, which is depleting every day of your trek that you undertake, especially your immune system. High altitude trekking is not natural for your body. During such trek your body is constantly fighting to cope with unfamiliar temperatures, altitude and terrain. Your body goes through a rigorous schedule each day for nearly a week or even more, depending on the destination.

On completion of such a trek, the body's immune system is at its lowest. Soon after you get down the mountain and enter your city to come in contact with lot more people, the pollution, bacteria, grime, and viruses in the atmosphere are almost waiting to welcome you with their arms wide open, normally your immune system would have dealt with these easily. Now, your body with it's all time low immune strength, do not have that power to fight with such bad elements. As a result, most trekkers fall sick. They catch flu, which may go away within 2 - 3 days, but if it does not go away then you might have to visit your doctor because if unattended you may catch sometimes even with something serious like typhoid and jaundice.

Though post trek fever is absolutely normal, but can be easily avoided. No trekker ever wants to get a trek fever as it will hamper your normal life on your return, for at least few days.

Now, let us find out what you can do to avoid 'POST TREK FEVER' ?

You have to follow four things basically. Firstly, should do good preparation for the upcoming trek, with special focus on your fitness level, run that extra mile and follow your regular breathing exercises to enhance your lung capacity thus improving on your endurance level and making your immune system strong. Have seen most of the trekkers who have done good preparation to be trek-fit usually do not get trek fever, they are usually as energetic after the trek, as before the trek. All they need is that one day of rest before they start their normal routine. So, fitness really helps as your body is not eating up your immune system, its enduring the entire trek just based on your fitness level. So get fit before your trek.

To enhance your fitness level before your trek, read my following blogs on trek preparation :

1) Downhill Technique & Stamina Building Tips For Trekkers.

2) Ankle Mobility Exercises For Mountain Trekkers.

3) Simple Way To Train For Your Upcoming Treks - "Fit To Trek@50 Series".

4) Tips For First Time Trekkers - "Fit To Trek@50 Series".

5) Trekkers Strength Workout For Endurance - "Fit To Trek@50 Series".

6) How To Improve Your Lung Capacity For High Altitude Treks - "Fit To Trek@50 Series".

7) Best Cardio Exercises For Mountain Trekkers - "Fit To Trek@50 Series".

8) Upper Body Strength Training Exercises For Trekkers - "Fit To Trek@50 Series".

9) How To Build Lower Body Strength For Trekking - "Fit To Trek@50 Series".

10) How To Prepare For Mountain Treks (Beginners) - Step 1 - "Fit To Trek@50 Series".

11) 9 Basics For Mountain Trek Training - "Fit To Trek@50 Series".

Secondly, should rest enough before your trek. Normally have seen trekkers take a flight to a middle point, then take overnight train, then again travel 5-8 hours to the starting point or base camp by road, that makes you already exhausted even before the trek to start. So, you need to avoid that, try to put in at least one day of full rest before you commence your trek either at a central point or at the base camp. This rest is very important as it helps your body recuperate before it's start using up energy again. 

The third point is, avoid sight seeing immediately after your trek. Crowded place with tourist all around is the last place your immune system needs. So, any sight seeing that you have on your plans, ideally keep it before your trek. After your trek rest for one or two days then may go for sight seeing or other amature sports. In Nepal myself have seen many trekkers rush to night clubs and crowded discs at Pokhara or Kathmandu, on the very night of their return from Everest Base Camp trek or Annapurna Circuit trek. This is very dangerous thing to do. 

Frequently  washing  your hands with soap water also protects you from virus and other infections.

The fourth thing is avoid junk food immediately after the trek. Have seen trekkers just coming down from their treks and immediately gorging on all their street foods, momo, burgers, french fries, and what not . But such foods are not healthy, so keep your food healthy for at least three days after your trek and then only may indulge yourself in junk food, if at all your carve for. Best is to go for freshly cooked home like food. With having no alternative, stick to basic curd rice, dal (pulses) and rice , or chapati with dal , along can have freshly cooked green vegetables, and fruits.

So, the four points that you should follow to avoid 'POST TREK FEVER' - 

1. Fitness.

2. Rest before your trek.

3. Avoiding crowded places or going for sight seeing after your trek.

4. Stay away from junk food after your trek.

Keep 'POST TREK FEVER' away and will definitely help you to good comeback to your city and continue with your normal life.

If you ever had 'POST TREK FEVER', please do share your experience in the comments below. It is always good to learn from other trekkers. 

Do FOLLOW my BLOG PAGE for latest updates on FITNESS & TREKKING.

- My Facebook Page :      ' Fit & Fun After 50 '

- My YouTube channel :     ' fitnessfun50 '

- Follow me on TWITTER :  @ParthaD44328477

- Instagram :                         fitnessfun.50

- e-mail :                               partha63.pd@gmail.com