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Altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a negative health effect of high altitude. The percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere at sea level is about 20%. As you climb higher up the mountain the percentage remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 3,600 m (12,000 ft), there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. The body therefore finds it hard to adapt and function as normal with less oxygen.
Altitude sickness is caused by a failure of the body to adapt quickly enough to these lower levels of oxygen. Often climbers make the mistake of going too high (altitude) too quickly (rate of ascent). So, when you read that there is a lack of oxygen at the summit, that’s not strictly true. Oxygen still makes up 20% of the air at the top therefore the problem is not lack of oxygen – but the lack of air pressure.
But don’t worry, it is perfectly normal to get altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro. In fact, at over 3,000 meters more than 75% of climbers will experience at least some form of mild AMS. It is therefore more than likely that you will experience some form of altitude sickness when climbing Kilimanjaro. Age, sex or physical fitness have no effect on your likelihood of getting altitude sickness. Just because you haven’t had it before doesn’t mean you won’t develop it on another trip.
Fitter people are at lesser risk of having Altitude Sickness symptoms but it is not easy to predict who can and cannot experience symptoms of Altitude Sickness. Fit people’s cardiovascular systems can withstand longer periods on low pressures that come with higher altitudes without much strain. Altitudes above 3500 meters, however, can cause altitude sickness often no matter how fit you may be especially if you are not familiar with hiking in environments with low atmospheric pressures.
Best way to minimize your chances of Altitude Sickness on Mount Kilimanjaro’s high altitudes is keeping fit and doing exercise on high altitudes before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as a way to familiarize with high elevations in order to minimize Altitude sickness.
There are three levels of Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms – mild, moderate and serious.
Mild altitude sickness is manageable and symptoms improve after a few days as your body acclimates. You can likely stay at your current elevation as your body adjusts. Symptoms include headaches, sleep disturbance, fatigue, shortness of breath with physical exertion, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, irritability, muscle aches, swelling of the hands, feet & face, a rapid heartbeat.
Mild symptoms of altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro are common and easily treated. The best and most efficient treatment is to descend if need be. You need to rest and maintain fluid intake. Painkillers such as paracetamol also help. At African Delight Safaris, we believe it is better to listen to your body.
A clear sign that you are experiencing moderate altitude sickness symptoms is when one or all of the mild symptoms start getting worse to a degree that becomes debilitating. Typically, people experiencing moderate symptoms have very bad headaches and usually vomit. A feeling of decreased coordination is common (i.e., ataxia).
People can often walk on their own when experiencing moderate AMS, however ascent under such symptoms will almost certainly result in worsening of the symptoms to a degree where one cannot walk anymore. This would necessitate a stretcher evacuation, which should be avoided at all costs.
Ascending under moderate symptoms can lead to death.
It is important you descend at least 1000 feet (300m), but more if necessary, and remain at a lower altitude until the symptoms subside. Once the symptoms have disappeared you have acclimatized and you can ascend again.
Ascent under serious Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms is extremely dangerous and should never occur. People experiencing serious AMS are usually unable to walk, struggle to breathe and lack their mental capacities to think straight.
Symptoms include wet coughing, chest congestion, extreme fatigue, fast & shallow breathing, gurgling breaths, blue or grey lips or fingernails, pale complexion and skin discoloration, inability to walk or lack of balance (ataxia), confusion and social withdrawal
There are two conditions associated with serious AMS, each of which occurs when fluid leaks through the capillary walls either into the lungs (this is called High Altitude Pulmonary Edema – HAPE) or into the brain (this is call High Altitude Cerebral Edema – HACE).
Both conditions are rare but almost always occur because of ascending too high, too fast, or because one has stayed too long at very high altitude.
AMS is not gradual, it happens rapidly and spontaneously with the first symptoms beginning to show, among the symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue and headaches.
As for AMS first aid, our experienced mountain guides are trained to diagnose and recognize AMS by the early symptoms and perform first aid. They will monitor your blood oxygen saturation and take the necessary steps to help salvage the situation by using medication, high altitude sleeping masks and oxygen cylinders. We strongly advise you to report accurate symptoms as soon as possible to get immediate hel
Here is some advice from African Delight Safaris that you should take into consideration while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, Mount Kenya, Oldonyo Lengai or Mount Ruwenzori for a successful climb and an equally successful summit
Please don’t be afraid of the altitude. Respect it, stay positive, relax and enjoy this incredible experience!
Severe cases of altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro can only be treated by immediate descent of around 2,000 feet (600 m) to a lower altitude. If a climber really feels unwell and has to descend, our guides will take him or her down immediately. This is usually done by assisting or, in extreme circumstances, by using a portable stretcher. At African Delight Safaris, we have a minimum of one guide for every two hikers, which means that there are at least three guides in a group of six climbers. So, in an emergency, there are always enough guides to ensure that everyone is secure and well-cared for.
They should be followed by a doctor’s visit for any required therapy. As previously stated, climbers seldom encounter these more significant side effects. Your guide will monitor your acclimatization. This is accomplished by imposing a variety of acclimatization
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