You can't make people healthy if you can't breath...

Not to freak anyone out, but this travel gig to La Paz is considered pretty heavy duty in terms of health effects. This is mainly due to altitude. The following is an excerpt from my official concurrence cable:
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6. Medical -- Attention! Very Important!

Altitude: The altitude of La Paz is between 10,000 feet and 13,400 feet (4,075 meters) above sea level. The altitude alone poses a serious risk of illness, hospitalization, and even death, if you have a medical condition that affects blood circulation or breathing.Adjustment to Altitude: All people, even healthy and fit persons, will feel symptoms of Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) upon arrival at high altitude. Most people will have increased respiration and increased heart rate. Many people will have headache, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, minor gastric and intestinal upsets, and mood changes.

The Health Unit strongly/strongly recommends taking Acetazolamide (Diamox), 125 mg twice a day -- starting one day before traveling, on the day of the trip, and two to three days after arriving at high altitude. This medication has a slight diuretic effect, and stimulates respiration. Diamox cannot be taken by pregnant women and nursing mothers. Consider that many health care providers in the U.S. are not familiar with high altitude medicine, don’t let them dissuade you from taking the Diamox. If you have a severe allergy to sulfa, you may not be able to take Diamox.

• Avoid alcohol and smoking for at least one week after your arrival.
• Limit physical activity for the first 36 to 48 hours after your arrival.
• For those who exercise, expect that you will not be able to perform your normal routine for several weeks. Please start slowly!

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Well, I guess as long as weakened appetite goes along with inability to do exercise, it should all even out, right? And I'm also glad to hear that I can blame "mood changes" on altitude too. That's refreshing.

I've got my prescription for diamox, but the recommendation has been made (like my use of passive voice in order to avoid identifying anyone?) that I should try the coca tea when I get there.

One week to go!