Altitude illness victim's parents say goodbye_美文

Altitude illness victim's parents say goodbye

Wu Yanyan, 24, a real estate consultant from Shanghai who spent the recent National Day holiday in Tibet, said travelers should remember to respect nature and not set out to "conquer it".

"Pushing the limit doesn't necessarily make you into a hero," she said. "In Jin's case, she should have gotten some rest and gone for treatment at a nearby hospital."

Doctors and professionals said travelers should make sure to prepare themselves adequately before they travel to Tibet.

"Older people should undergo a medical examination before they go there," said Dechen, a doctor who specializes in treating the sickness. "People with diabetes and heart disease shouldn't go. As for young people, they should get plenty of rest before setting out and shouldn't do anything strenuous during the first couple of days they are there."

A large percentage of the patients who go to Lhasa People's Hospital are tourists suffering from altitude sickness, according to Dechen.

"People react differently to altitude sickness. Their symptoms could be as mild as dizziness or headaches. But once you're coughing and running a fever, it's essential that you undergo an examination at a nearby hospital as soon as possible. The sickness can lead to the worst-case scenario within one night."

About the broadcaster:

Nelly Min is an editor at China Daily with more than 10 years of experience as a newspaper editor and photographer. She has worked at major newspapers in the U.S., including the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit Free Press. She is also fluent in Korean.