Altitude Acclimatization Is the process of adjusting OXYGEN levels, at high elevations in order to avoid altitude sickness
Anybody can get altitude sickness. There is no way to predict how your body will react if exposed to high altitude without proper acclimatization by the way Utaalam guides recommending spending sufficient time at high altitude.
Let’s see three main forms of altitude Sickness
AMS ( Acute Mountain Sickness ) Is very common when climbing Kilimanjaro
The symptoms; Headache puls at least one of the following symptoms;- Lightheadedness, Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, sleeplessness, fatigue, dizziness, weakness, insomnia (mild form )
Most of the trekkers for now day comes with advice from their doctor to use Diamox while climbing Kilimanjaro to help their body to get extra acclimatization although is better if you choose enough days to allow your body cope well with high altitude.
Acetazolamide ( DIAMOX ); Although other physician advice to take a dosage is 500 mg to 1000 mg daily but seems that dosage of 250 mg daily it works well if you need to use at Kilimanjaro climb by this we advise to take 125 mg twice a day
HAPE ( High Altitude Pulmonary Edema ) Is a fluid build up in the lungs.
The symptoms; Extreme breathlessness, even at rest; rattling breath coughing with pink froth and blue lips or fingernails.
HACE ( High Altitude Cerebral Edema ) Is fluid build up in the brain/Swelling of the brain.
The symptoms; Lack of coordination, inability to walk in a straight line, confusion, and irrational behavior to the of not acknowledging the symptoms.
Dexamethasone ( a steroid ) Is a prescription drug that decreases brain and other swelling reversing the effects of AMS; Dosage is typically 4 mg twice a day for a few days starting with the ascent. This prevents most symptoms of altitudes illness. It should be used with caution and only on the advice of your doctor before discussed with our head guide who has a professional of first aid ( The Wilderness First Responder/CPR ) because of possible serious side effects. It may be combined with DIAMOX.
There are considered normal and should not worry you when ascent or normal symptoms of exposure to a high altitude
- You need to urinate a lot more often especially if you take Diamox
- You may wake up frequently at night
- You may experience periodic breathing at night( where you stop breathing for up to 15 seconds and then breathe very fast to make up for it scary but harmless.)
- You are out of breath sooner and shortness of breath with physical activity
- You breathe faster
- Unusual or memorable dreams
Keys to preventing acute mountain sickness
- Climb the mountain gradually
- Learn how to recognize early symptoms of mountain sickness
- Stop for a day or two of rest for every 6,00 m above 2,400 m as Utaalam guides been more wealthy by our alternative route visit our unique pages on option route
- Sleep at a lower altitude when possible visit our unique routes provide the schedules of climbing higher and sleeping lower.
While climbing
- Drink plenty of fluids especially if your take Diamox
- Avoid alcohol , tobacco, and most definitely do not touch sleeping tables or you may not wake up again.
- Eat regular meals, high in carbohydrates
In addition, if you are at risk for a low red blood cell count ( anemia ) ask your doctor if an iron supplement is right for you. Anemia lowers the Amount of oxygen in your blood. This makes you more likely to have mountain sickness so the above-mentioned will helps
facts below
For most people the symptoms come and go during the day, disappear over night only to come back the next day as the climb continues.
Men appear to be more susceptible than women especially young and fit men
Older people seem to be less susceptible.(Older people will ascend more slowly and nothing protects you better from altitude sickness than ascending slowly)
Do you know which group has the lowest success rate?
Young males between 20 and 30 years, exactly the people you think would do the best.
And older people have a good success rate . They are wiser than that.And many of them just aren’t fit enough to make the mistake of walking too fast
Polepole!
That is Kiswahili for “Slowly slowly/slow and steady” and you will hear it day and day out and Utaalam guides much recommended.
Note that; If your body experiencing symptoms that could indicate HACE or HACE should be required to descend immediately safe as is a serious risk to continue to ascend to high alltitude.No matter whether you already reach one of the points below;-
- High altitude : 1,500 to 3,500 m
- Very high altitude : 3,500 to 5,500 m
- Extreme altitude: above 5,500 m
Signs & Symptoms
People have different susceptibilities to altitude sickness for some otherwise healthy people acute altitude sickness may begin to appear at around 2,000 m above the sea level
According to our experience and mountain skills we have by regard to all precautions of acute mountain sickness and other diseases such as Asthma…. except HAPE or HACE otherwise we believe that anybody can manage to make to the summit of Kilimanjaro safe.
What at least the personal items you could pack in your First Aid Kit? Although our guide should have packed an emergency kit
- Pain killers – Advil Pain Relief Tablets ( Ibuprofen )
- Paracetamol
- Diamox ( Acetazolamide )
- Dexamethasone
- Zinc Oxide tape and small scissors.
- Loperamide ( Diahorrea Tablets ) or similar rehydration packs
- Anti-inflammatory gel
- Amoxycilin
- Oral
- Compeed Blister Pads
- Bandages
- Several other Items
An emergency Oxygen Canister is important too in our Utaalam guides First Aid kit pack list and should carry with us on the trek
Get in touch with Utaalam Guides to discuss your Tanzania adventure.
If our team are climbing in the mountains, or out on a tour then it might take a day or two before we reply. But, we reply to all enquiries.
If you are ready to book an adventure, or if you simply want more information about what services Utaalam Guides offer, please get in touch.
You can also use the WhatsApp link to chat directly with a lead guide who can answer your questions.
+255 789 294 619
+255 756 568 661
