Prior to departure, visit your physician. Most treks in Tibet are rather strenuous and occur at elevations between 12,000 and 17,000 feet (3660 to 5200m). People with diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure can successfully trek in Tibet, but should check with a doctor about potential problems and precautions. Most commercial companies requite all clients to submit a medical examination report signed by a physician as a pre-condition for acceptance.

It is also advisable to have a dental checkup before you set off. Except for street "dentists" in the markets, with foot-treadle drills, the only dental facility in Central Tibet is in Lhasa.

First Aid Kit
It is important to carry a basic first-aid kit with you, even if you are trekking with a commercial company. Few drugs familiar in the West are available in China and Tibet. The following medications and supplies will prepare you to meet most medical situations. (If you are trekking independently or in a private group, your first-aid kit should be more complete than if you are with a commercial company.) Be familiar with the proper use and potential side effects of the drugs. Some of these medications can only be purchased with a prescription, which most doctors will provide if they know you are going trekking. If you plan to travel through Nepal, you can purchase many of the antibiotics and pain killers cheaply in Kathmandu without a prescription.

Medications and supplies that are useful but not essential are labeled as optional. The suggested quantities of medicines and materials are based on the needs of one person during a three- to four-week visit in Tibet. Check with your doctor on appropriate dosage.