New Delhi: A 27-year-old man from Noida tragically lost his life due to altitude sickness while on a solo bike trip to Leh, Ladakh. Chinmay Sharma, a digital marketing executive, embarked on the adventure on August 22. However, just four days into the journey, he began experiencing symptoms of high-altitude sickness, including headaches and difficulty breathing.On August 26, Chinmay informed his father about his deteriorating health. Concerned, his father advised him to rest and seek immediate medical attention. Despite these efforts, Chinmays condition worsened, and he was admitted to a hospital in Leh. Tragically, on August 29, he succumbed to oxygen deficiency, mere hours before his parents could reach the remote location to be by his side. Chinmay, who hails from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, was the only child of his parents, both of whom are teachers.Trouble in paradiseHis death has sent shockwaves through his family and the community. Leh, located at an altitude of 10,000 feet, is a high-altitude desert where travelers are advised to acclimatize for several days to avoid altitude sickness. This condition occurs when the body is exposed too quickly to low oxygen levels and changes in air pressure, leading to symptoms such as headache, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath. There are three types of altitude sickness: Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS), High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), and High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), the latter two being potentially life-threatening if not treated promptly.
