Twelve intrepid medical students are preparing to head for one of the world’s most popular tourist treks to find out more about a potentially deadly condition.
The University of Aberdeen dozen are bound for South America and the famous Inca Trail.
The team, all members of the University's Wilderness Medical Society, will spend a month in Peru carrying out two separate studies into altitude sickness - a condition characterised by headache, sickness, tiredness and sleep disturbance, which can progress to more serious illness – and even death - if not recognised and treated.
First they will spend three weeks in the ancient Inca capital Cusco quizzing Inca Trail trekkers about their knowledge of the condition that is caused by a decrease of oxygen in the body at altitudes of over 8,000 ft. Cusco is 11,150 ft above sea level.
The expedition's medic is 23-year-old Gemma Card who is also President of the Wilderness Medical Society. She said: "Cusco is host to a particularly dangerous mix of high altitude, rapid access from low elevation, and inexperienced travellers. The potentially serious consequences of such a combination can be reduced significantly simply by educating travellers.
"We are aiming to give questionnaires to around 500 trekkers to assess their knowledge of altitude sickness symptoms, treatment and prevention, and find out what resources they used to gain this awareness. Through this assessment, we hope to find better avenues of education so that travellers may enjoy high-altitude destinations more safely and comfortably."
The second study involves the twelve carrying out tests on each other during their four-day high altitude hike to the Lost City of the Incas – Machu Picchu.
Gemma explained: "We are teaming up in pairs and will be conducting a number of tests which include tests of lung function, checking our blood pressure and the oxygen levels in our blood. We will also be monitoring our temperature, heart rate, respiratory rates and the fluid levels in our bodies.
"Our study will demonstrate some of the changes that happen within the human body at high altitude, and we will be looking to see if any of these changes relate to how severe the symptoms of altitude sickness are."
Professor Mike Greaves, Head of the University's School of Medicine, added: "In this particular geographical location the accessibility and relative ease of progression to high altitude make altitude sickness an important medical problem.
"Awareness of the condition and its manifestations are essential if the worst effects are to be avoided. As such the project of Gemma and her colleagues is potentially highly relevant to the health of future visitors to the region. If a lack of awareness is demonstrated it will provide further impetus to proposals for improved education and training for high altitude trekkers.''
This isn't the first expedition Gemma has embarked upon and she's hoping she doesn't experience the problems she suffered during the last one.
The fourth year medical student, who is originally from Inverness and would like to be a GP and expedition doctor, explained: "Three years ago members of the Wilderness Medical Society went on a research expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, again to study altitude sickness.
"Myself and another member of the group experienced quite severe altitude sickness near the summit and had to be evacuated off the mountain."
After being taken further down the 19,563ft African peak, Gemma was back to normal. And she hopes she'll be fine on the Inca Trail where the highest spot is 14,500ft. She added: "It's hard to predict who will suffer from altitude sickness, although there is some evidence to suggest that if you've already had it, you are more likely to suffer again.
"At least we all know what to look out for, and are well prepared in the eventuality of a member of the team becoming unwell. "
The expedition costs £14,500 and so far the team have raised half of the money via sponsorship and donations from organisations which include the Aberdeen University Students Association, the University Expedition Fund, the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland and Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society.
But they are still seeking further funds.
Gemma added: "This is a really worthwhile research trip that will provide valuable information about altitude sickness from a tourist hotspot that attracts thousands of inexperienced walkers each year of whom the majority suffer from a degree of altitude illness. We hope to publish our research findings, adding to the body of knowledge, and informing the growing number of people who trek at high altitude."
"We really hope people will support us!"
Anyone wishing to donate or sponsor the team should contact the expedition treasurer Amy Dutia at href="mailto:wildmed@abdn.ac.uk">wildmed@abdn.ac.uk</a>
More information on the expedition can be found at: www.auwms.org.uk/peru