{"id":2151,"date":"2023-04-24T19:25:56","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T19:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climbsafe-kilimanjaro.com\/?page_id=2151"},"modified":"2023-04-24T19:29:16","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T19:29:16","slug":"altitude-sickness","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/climbsafe-kilimanjaro.com\/index.php\/altitude-sickness\/","title":{"rendered":"Altitude Sickness"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Altitude sickness<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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ACCLIMATIZATION AND ALTITUDE SICKNESS ON KILIMANJARO<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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At Climbing Kilimanjaro, Safety is our Number one priority: At 19,341ft, Kilimanjaro presents a unique set of challenges, the most dangerous of which being altitude sickness. A significant proportion of people who climb over 9,000ft develop some symptoms relating to altitude.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Effects of Altitude on Kilimanjaro<\/h3>

Kilimanjaro has become a very popular trek as it\u2019s a way for ordinary hikers to experience a high mountain summit with no technical skill. Being what\u2019s known as a \u201cwalk-up\u201d, without the need for ropes and climbing gear, some people underestimate the potential for serious, life-threatening situations as a result of the altitude. Kilimanjaro\u2019s summit falls into the \u201cextreme altitude\u201d category, along with Aconcagua and Denali (Mt McKinley). Everest and K2 are \u201cultra\u201d altitudes, where acclimatization is impossible.<\/p>

A Brief Introduction to Altitude<\/h3>

At the summit of Kilimanjaro, there is approximately 49% less oxygen than at sea level. However, it\u2019s not the percentage of oxygen in the air that changes, it\u2019s the barometric pressure (air pressure) of the atmosphere that\u2019s reduced. The percentage of oxygen in the air is the same at 20.9%, but its availability is reduced by the reduction in air pressure. What this means, in simple terms is that for any volume of air you breathe in, there are fewer molecules of oxygen available. The reduced air pressure has other problems associated with it as well, allowing fluid to collect outside of the cells, around the brain (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) and the lungs (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema), both very serious conditions.<\/p>

Altitude Sickness: What is it?<\/h3>

Mountain sickness has\u00a0three main forms<\/a>: Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Additionally, AMS can be mild (very common and manageable with the right treatment), moderate, and severe (immediate descent necessary). Let\u2019s take a closer look at these conditions.<\/p>

Acute Mountain Sickness<\/h3>

According to\u00a0Dr. Peter Hackett of the Institute for Altitude Medicine<\/a>, AMS can affect anyone above 6,000ft. The initial sign is usually a headache, which confusingly can also be a sign of dehydration or over-exertion. If other symptoms develop, then a diagnosis of AMS is probable.<\/p>

Mild AMS<\/h4>

In its mildest form, the symptoms can resemble that of a hangover, with nausea, headache, fatigue, and a loss of appetite. If you experience any of these symptoms it\u2019s important to tell your guide and not simply try to push through. Mild symptoms can often be resolved with rest and adequate hydration.<\/p>

Moderate AMS<\/h4>

If the symptoms of mild AMS start to get worse, a headache that you can\u2019t shift, dizziness, coughing, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting this is an indication that you are not adapting to the altitude (acclimatizing) and at this point, you should descend to the last elevation that you felt \u201cwell\u201d.<\/p>

Treatments such as ibuprofen for the headache or anti-emetics for nausea can mask worsening symptoms and should not be relied upon for continued ascent.<\/p>

Severe AMS<\/h4>

If a person suffering from moderate AMS ignores the symptoms pushing through to a higher elevation, there\u2019s a risk that the condition can become severe. Severe AMS can lead to life-threatening complications (HAPE and HACE) and immediate descent is mandatory.<\/p>

Symptoms can include severe headache, ataxia (lack of coordination, inability to walk properly, staggering), increased coughing, and shortness of breath. Someone with severe AMS will likely need evacuation from the mountain either by stretcher or helicopter.<\/p>

Complications resulting from severe mountain sickness are HAPE and HACE.<\/p>

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)<\/h3>

Basecamp MD<\/a> explains that HAPE can develop as a result of the lung arteries developing excessive pressure as a result of the low oxygen environment. This pressure causes build-up of fluid around the lungs.<\/p>

Confusingly, it\u2019s possible for a climber to develop HAPE even if they don\u2019t seem to have symptoms of severe AMS.<\/p>

Look out for:<\/p>