Helpful Tips for Peru
If you are one of the lucky folks going to the 10th World Potato Congress in Cusco, Peru, you will be heading to an extremely high altitude.
Cusco sits at 11,152 feet above sea level and altitude sickness is a real hazard. Altitude sickness or soroche, is the result of diminishing oxygen in our body’s tissues.
The World Potato Congress issued these tips for staying healthy:
1. Sleep well the day before the trip and do not eat very heavy meals.
2. Rest for about 6 hours while the body is “acclimated.”
3. Take coca tea. It is a good alternative, since it improves blood circulation, relieving altitude sickness.
4. Avoid smoking, drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages and, unless strictly prescribed by a doctor, do not take tranquilizers, sedatives or hypnotics, mainly during the first days.
