A Review of Medical Problems in Himalayan Porters

Abstract

Porters have accompanied trekkers and climbers to high altitude since the earliest expeditions in the Himalayas. As the existing body of knowledge on high altitude medicine expands, the focus remains on trekkers or climbers and published literature on medical problems in the large porter population remains sparse. It is well known that porters working at high altitude in the Nepal Himalayas are often lowland dwellers and are as prone to high altitude illnesses like acute mountain sickness (AMS), high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) as the trekkers. Other illnesses like diarrhea, respiratory illnesses and infections also occur in this population. In this review, studies reporting these findings will be discussed along with the local context of socio-economic barriers to adequate healthcare for these porters.

Feeding Your Himalayan Expedition: Nutritional Signatures and Body Composition Adaptations of Trekkers and Porters

“…Moreover, the focus has been posed to highland dwellers and to lowland trekkers and climbers. Therefore, there is a lack of evidence on those who are generally lowland dwellers working at high altitudes, such as porters, who logistically support expeditions and are prone to high altitude illnesses [7].…”

Local Porters in Nepal: Acute Mountain Sickness and Load Weight of Cargo Carrying

“…The reality that porters are also in danger of risk of AMS is very significant for trekking cohorts, businesses, and tourists to identify as there is frequently a fictitious presumption that porters working at lofty elevation locations all come from lofty elevations and are, consequently, comparatively resistant to AMS. The research presented here found that it is vital to recognize that this is not the situation and awareness has to be devoted to the porters touring with any given trekking or mountaineering group (Dawadi, Basnyat & Adhikari, 2020;Bellows, 2014). Indeed, it is quite difficult to acquire statistics concerning the deaths of porters/Sherpas when climbing or trekking to high altitudes.…”

“…According to Dawadi, Basnyat and Adhikari (2020), all Sherpa porters are not from lofty elevation locations. In effect, a considerable percentage of them are from diverse ethnic origins and inhabit low elevations and only journey to lofty elevation locations for employment (Barott, 2018;Koirala et al, 2018;Newcomb et al, 2011;Malville et al, 2001).…”