High-altitude sickness is reportedly suspected by the police as the cause of death after the grandson of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren died in Manali on Tuesday.
Nineteen-year-old Veer Soren had reportedly arrived in Manali with his friends on February 22, Sumday, and was staying at a homestay in Simsa. After exploring Solang Valley and Sethan villages on the Hamta Pass route on February 23, Veer Soren reportedly couldn’t join his friends’ plans on February 24 and remained indoors. When the group returned around noon, the teenager was suffering from a severe headache, The Times of India (TOI) said in a report.
They gave Veer medicine and let him rest, but at around 2:30 pm, they found that he had fallen off the bed onto the floor. He was unconscious, with foam forming around his mouth, the daily said. Veer Soren was rushed to a government hospital in Manali, where doctors administered CPR but, after examination, declared him dead.
Although high-altitude sickness is suspected to have claimed his life, the cause of his death can only be confirmed after a post-mortem is completed, TOI added.
What is High-Altitude Sickness?
High-altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), occurs when the body cannot adjust to the lower levels of oxygen and decreased air pressure found at high altitudes. AMS typically occurs at heights above 2,400 metres (8,000 feet).
Headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, fatigue and poor sleep are among the common symptoms of AMS. Unlike infections, altitude sickness can progress rapidly and affect young, healthy people. In severe cases, fluid fills the lungs or the brain swells — and without quick descent and oxygen, it can become fatal.
Why it happens?
At higher altitudes, the air pressure drops, which means people consume less oxygen with each breath. When the human body does not get the oxygen it is used to, this can trigger illness. While the percentage of oxygen in the air remains the same (21%), the air molecules are less dense. This is why every breath a person takes at these great heights contains fewer oxygen molecules than at sea level, leading to a condition called hypoxia.
How it becomes fatal?
Lack of oxygen can cause the blood vessels in the brain to leak, leading to brain swelling. This rapid and severe condition means the brain’s intracranial pressure increases, which can lead to coma. Death often occurs within hours of the onset of severe symptoms if the person is not moved to a lower altitude.
To prevent high-altitude sickness, it is advisable to ascend slowly and allow the body acclimatisation days. A person should ideally spend two or three days at 2,500 metres before going higher. Staying hydrated may also help, while preventive medication can be taken if advised by a doctor. According to available information, immediate descent — meaning quickly coming down by around 500–1,000 metres — can be life-saving.